Conch Season officially closed on May 25th, but that did not stop some fishermen from going out to catch hundreds of conch illegally. In fact that may have been an incentive since the prized mollusk fetches a higher price in the off season.
But, those fishermen were caught on Sunday night by a joint enforcement team comprising fisheries Officers and coast guardsmen. We spoke to one of those officers today who told us that they believe the fishermen brought in the conch from area 3 located along southern Caye in the grand split area, and now one of them who took the plea faces thousands of dollars in fines.
Hampton Gamboa, Belize Fisheries Department, Conservation Compliance Unit Supervisor
"An operation between Belize fisheries department enforcement unit and the Belize coast guard over the weekend resulted in a stop and search within the Belize City Harbour observed a sail boat docking at national fisherman cooperative pier, observation of the individuals after the finished docking up the vessel is that they were trying to move, remove two large tubs off the sail boat and put it on the property. So officers went to conduct a search on that sail boat and on the property which resulted in the finding of two tubs, two buckets, one large bucket and a smaller one with conch. Upon counting all of these conch in five of the fishers who were occupying the vessels present resulted in the discovery of 445 conchs during the closed season, this year due to the quota was released prior to May 25th, conch season officially closed on May 25th this year due to the quota being realised so officers informed the fishermen of the offence, possession of conchs during the closed season they were taken to court on Tuesday and as a result of the court matter one person plead guilty from the five and that person was fined and penalised a total of $25,250 plus cost of court."
Conch Season will remain closed until September 30th.
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