The SVGEF teamed up again with Blue Marine, the Ministry of Fisheries, and local Bequia Divers to carry out 3 intensive days of diving, focusing on conch surveys in light of the most recent update on the amendment of fisheries regulations

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines passed new Fisheries Regulations, known as The Fisheries (Amendment)  Regulations  2023, which were gazetted on December 5th 2023 introducing a closed period for the harvesting of conch as recommended by St Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Foundation and the Blue Marine Foundation in their collaborative work. This closed season will come into effect from 1st September until 30^th November 2024 and will be an annual closed season for that three month period.

It’s the first time in the history of St Vincent and the Grenadines that there will be a closed season for conch and this is a landmark achievement.

The team surveyed Isle A Quatre to Adams Bay in March and discovered numerous juvenile conches which are crucial for protection in helping to restore conch population.Public meetings were held with the Fisherfolk at Paget Farm and Barrouallie, where we agreed to take action to protect these juveniles by designating fishing rest areas in Paget farm, and opened up the conversation in Barrouallie for potential rest areas. A collaborative effort to ensure sustainable fishing practices for the future of St. Vincent and the Grenadines marine life. Throughout the discussions held at Barrouallie and Paget Farm Bequia, the fishers provided us with valuable feedback and insights into their fishing practices, allowing us to delve into the intricacies of their day-to-day lives and understand how decisions made in policy affect them, but are also necessary to keep their livelihoods at sea intact.