Queen conch meat exports from the Turks and Caicos Islands are halted from 15 July to 15 October 2025 to protect depleted stocks. The pause applies to both commercial shipments and personal use, following a joint decision by the Ministry of Tourism and Fisheries Department.
Queen conch forms the second-largest commercial fishery in the islands, generating USD 3.5–5 million each year from around 500,000 pounds of annual exports, mostly sent to the United States. However, local consumption, tourism, climate impacts, and illegal harvesting continue to strain populations. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch currently lists local conch under an "Avoid" rating, pointing to depleted stocks and ineffective management.
All categories of local fishing licences expire on 31 July 2025, and authorities are urging fishers to submit renewals and new applications. Fisheries officials plan to conduct updated population surveys and enforce quotas tied to international requirements alongside the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.