ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – As the 2026 annual queen conch closed season enters its second month, local authorities and environmental conservation groups have reissued a public reminder to all residents, commercial fishers, and businesses across the twin-island nation that harvesting, trading, or holding queen conch remains illegal through August 31.
This seasonal regulatory closure, which runs from July 1 to August 31 each year, aligns with the species’ critical annual breeding cycle. The pause in human harvesting activity gives queen conch populations unimpeded space to mate and reproduce, laying the groundwork for more robust population growth in the coming years. As one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most ecologically and economically valuable marine resources, long-term protection of queen conch is tied directly to the sustainability of the local fishing industry and the health of the nation’s coastal marine ecosystems.
The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), a leading local environmental advocacy organization, has emphasized that widespread public compliance with the closure rule is essential to preserving the species for future generations. Environmental advocates have called on community members to not only adhere to the regulations themselves but also remain vigilant for any suspicious activity related to the protected conch.
Any member of the public who suspects illegal harvesting, sale, or possession of queen conch during the closed season is instructed to report the activity immediately to the national Fisheries Division via the dedicated contact line at 462-1372, enabling rapid enforcement of conservation rules.