Office of the Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES --------0-------- DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4611 Tutu Park Mall 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted Suite 300, 2nd Floor St. Croix, VI 00840 St. Thomas, VI 00802 (340) 773-1082 (340) 774-3320 dpnr.vi.gov Contact: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, October 31, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE QUEEN CONCH HARVEST SEASON OPENS NOVEMBER 1, 2025 Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the seasonal closure for harvesting Queen Conch (Aliger gigas) will end at midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025. Beginning November 1, 2025, harvesting will be permitted through Monday, June 1, 2026, in accordance with federal and territorial regulations (50 CFR 622.491; V.I.C. Title 12, Chapter 9A §316; VI.R.R. Title 12, Chapter 9A §316-1). …
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Office of the Commissioner GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES --------0-------- DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4611 Tutu Park Mall 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted Suite 300, 2nd Floor St. Croix, VI 00840 St. Thomas, VI 00802 (340) 773-1082 (340) 774-3320 dpnr.vi.gov Contact: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, October 31, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE QUEEN CONCH HARVEST SEASON OPENS NOVEMBER 1, 2025 Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the seasonal closure for harvesting Queen Conch (Aliger gigas) will end at midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025. Beginning November 1, 2025, harvesting will be permitted through Monday, June 1, 2026, in accordance with federal and territorial regulations (50 CFR 622.491; V.I.C. Title 12, Chapter 9A §316; VI.R.R. Title 12, Chapter 9A §316-1). These seasonal restrictions protect Queen Conch populations during critical reproductive periods, ensuring sustainable fisheries and preserving Virgin Islands marine resources for future generations. Harvesting Requirements • A valid recreational or commercial fishing license is required. • Harvest is allowed in St. Croix federal waters and all territorial waters. • Each conch must: o Have a shell length of at least 9 inches (from spire tip to distal end), or o A lip thickness of 3/8 inch, o Be landed intact and whole in its shell. Bag and Vessel Limits • Recreational: o Territorial waters: 6 conch per person/day, max 24 per vessel/day. o Federal waters: 3 conch per person/day, max 12 per vessel/day. • Commercial: o Up to 200 conch per day in territorial and St. Croix federal waters. Prohibited Areas Harvesting is strictly prohibited within: • St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) • St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP) Licenses & More Information Recreational licenses can be purchased at https://www.gooutdoorsusvi.com/. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation to protect Virgin Islands resources for the present and future benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands,” urged Commissioner Oriol. For questions, contact: • Division of Fish & Wildlife: DFWelectronic@usvi.onmicrosoft.com | 340-773- 1082 (STX) | 340-775-6762 (STT) • Division of Environmental Enforcement: 340-773-5774 (St. Croix) | 340-774- 3320 (St. Thomas)