As conch and whelk season opens Wednesday, the Department of Environment has warned the community against breaking the legal take limits.
The season runs from 1 Nov. until 30 April.
The daily catch limit is five conch per person or a maximum 10 conch per boat of two or more persons.
“In any one day, no one person may take or permit another person to take, purchase, receive, offer for sale, exchange or donation, or possess more than five conch from Cayman waters. Only queen conch may be taken,” the department said in a statement Tuesday.
The DoE, ahead of the opening, also reminded the public that protected marine parks remain off limits.
“Marine Park rules and boundaries remain in full effect at all times and no conch or whelks may be taken from within the Marine Reserve even within season,” the statement said.
The daily catch limit for whelks is 2½ gallons in the shell or 2½ pounds of processed whelks per person per day.
Anyone caught poaching conch may face fines up to $500,000 or one year in prison.
The DoE is encouraging the public to download the ‘Cayman DoE’ app to “instantly ensure all fishing activities are taking place within the regulated seasons and outside the Marine Reserves to avoid violation of the rules and potential prosecution from DoE Enforcement”.
Under the existing rules, chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth, as well as echinoderms (starfish, sea eggs/urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars) may not be taken.
A DoE conch season advisory also notes that Cayman’s annual lobster season does not open until 1 Dec.
“Individuals may come across lobsters while conching or whelking, but it is still closed season for lobsters which may be reproducing. Anyone caught possessing locally-caught lobster out of season will also be prosecuted,” the advisory said.
The department has also urged the community to report suspicious behaviour as it happens to DoE Enforcement on 949-8469 or 916-4271, or to call 911.
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