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)