Here Are the Guidelines Set for Belize’s Queen Conch Season

Get ready, seafood lovers! Belize’s Queen Conch season officially kicks off on October 1, 2025, and will run until June 30, 2026, the Fisheries Department announced.

The department stated that the season may close early if the national conch quota is reached.

The department reminded fishers and the public of strict rules to protect the species, including that no conch may be taken, bought, sold, or held between July 1 and September 30.

Only conch meeting minimum size and weight requirements may be harvested.

It said, “No person shall take in the waters of Belize or buy, sell, or have in his possession: At any time, conch the overall shell length of which does not exceed 7 inches; the weight of unprocessed conch taken which does not exceed 7 1⁄2 ounces (213 grams); the weight of partially processed (market clean) conch taken which does not exceed 3 ounces (85 grams); the weight of fully processed (fillet) conch taken which does not exceed 2 3⁄4 ounces (78 grams).”

Fishers are also reminded that no conch may be taken, bought, sold, or kept if the overall shell length is less than seven inches, the department said.

Special permits are required to buy, sell, or possess diced or fully processed conch. Exports are limited to the quota granted under the Fisheries Resources Act.