Theile, S.

The Queen conch Strombus gigas, a large marine gastropod, is found in the territorial waters of 36 countries and tettitories in the Caribbean region.  Over the past decades, intensive fishing has led to population declines resultin gin the total or temporal closure of the fishery in a number of locations.  Since November 1992, the species has been included in Appendix II of CITES.  In 2002, concerns about levels of illegal trade led to a "review of Significant Trade" in queen conch by TRAFFIC on behalf of the CITES.  For this review, data on commercial fisherisies landings, CITES trade data, stock status, and management measures were compiled with the assistance of CITES and fisheries authorities, and regional experts.