The Government of Belize has just released information that the production quota for market clean conch meat for the season 2017-2018 has been set at 884,092 pounds. The conch season runs from October 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. BUT! The public is advised that if the conch production quota is realized earlier, the conch season will be declared closed.
The Fisheries Department hereby makes a special appeal to and urges responsible citizens to call 224-4552/203-2623, email fisheries_department@fisheries.gov.bz or Crime Stoppers Belize at 0-800-922-TIPS (8477) to report any Fisheries infractions. The Department assures that all information communicated will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Fisheries Regulation which relates to Queen Conch (Strombus gigas):
Regulation 6 (1) No person shall take in the waters of Belize, buy, sell or have in his possession:
a) any conch between the 1st July and the 30th September, inclusive, in any year;
b) i) at any time, conch the overall shell length of which does not exceed 7 inches (17.8 centimeters);
ii) the weight of unprocessed conch taken which does not exceed 7 ½ ounces (213 grams);
iii) the weight of partially process (market clean) conch taken which does not exceed 3 ounces (85 grams);
iv) the weight of fully process (fillet) conch taken which does not exceed 2 ¾ ounces (78 grams);
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Fisheries Act, commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction.
*This above is in accordance with Regulation 24A (2) of Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2012 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations, 2012.
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