The queen conch aliger gigas is an important fishery in the caribbean and is overfished

This $599,598 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on September 1, 2023 under the Fisheries Development and Utilization Research and Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (CFDA 11.427) will expand an existing aquaculture center to produce queen conch juveniles for restoration and sustainable seafood in Puerto Rico. The lead awardee, Florida Atlantic University, will collaborate with the nonprofit subrecipient Conservación Conciencia to operate conch hatchery, nursery, and growout facilities, train local fishers and technicians, and investigate marketing opportunities for conch shells. The project aims to address declining wild conch populations and develop a replicable model for aquaculture-based fisheries restoration and community-based seafood production across Puerto Rico.

Most conch fished in puerto rico are consumed locally with little export. With the decline in conch populations in state and federal waters, closed seasons, and disruption of conch habitats from hurricanes, conch is a prime candidate for aquaculture in puerto rico. This project will expand on the existing s-k NOAA supported aquaculture center to produce conch juveniles for restoration and sustainable seafood. Local fishers, technicians and interns will operate the aquaculture operation in naguabo and at two additional fishing associations. Workforce development and training in aquaculture practices for fishers and community members will be conducted. This project will also investigate the market for queen conch shells, a by-product of the fishery. The project serves as a model that can be transferred to more fishing communities in puerto rico.