Belize’s Conch Season Closes Early as Production Quota Met

The conch season for the first part of 2023 has closed.  Authorities at the Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Blue Economy issued a reminder saying that as at midnight Saturday night the Queen Conch season had closed in accordance with Statutory Instrument Number 54 of 2012.  It is an early closure, but according to the authorities, that the Queen Conch production quota for the 2022/2023 quota has been met.  The season will reopen on October 1, 2023.  The Fisheries Department has advised restaurants, food vendors and the public that while the season is closed, you cannot use the conch, nor is it legal to eat it.  For those who remain with conch in their possession during the closed season, you are advised to dispose of the meat as it is illegal for you to have any in stock.