The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries announced earlier this year the listing of the queen conch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

NOAA Fisheries, on Sept. 8, 2022, published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (87 FR 55200) to designate the queen conch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Following a 90-day public comment period, during which a virtual public hearing was held on Nov. 21, 2022, the final rule has been released addressing all received comments.

The decision to list the queen conch as a threatened species stems from concerns regarding overutilization through commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

In February of this year, NOAA Fisheries announced the final rule to officially list the queen conch as threatened under the ESA, after careful consideration of all public comments received during the proposed listing phase. This determination was based on the best available scientific and commercial information, including a status review report and ongoing conservation efforts.

According to the ESA, a threatened species is defined as one likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future across all or a significant portion of its range. While this designation does not automatically impose trade restrictions or other private activity prohibitions, it does trigger the requirement for federal agencies to consult with NOAA Fisheries on actions that may impact the species.

Moving forward, NOAA Fisheries intends to develop protective regulations for the queen conch through a future rulemaking process. This process will include an opportunity for public comment.

For those seeking further information on the final rule, including supplementary materials prepared to support its development, they can be accessed online through the NOAA Fisheries website or by visiting fisheries.noaa.gov/species/queen-conch.