Fishery-independent Surveys of Queen Conch in St. Croix 2010-2011

We examined queen conch populations on the northeastern coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using a radial survey sampling technique with sample sites stratified by depth, habitat type, and management regime, encompassing both open and closed fishing areas. We completed 503 radial surveys and located 4773 conch, representing a cumulative density of approximately 302 conch per hectare. Densities of juvenile conch were highest in 5090 patchy seagrass beds in Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM) due to high numbers of small 79 cm conch. Overall length frequencies showed a bimodal distribution, driven largely by juvenile conch found within the BIRNM. Length distributions by habitat were variable but showed a trend toward larger conch in reef, macroalgae, and sand habitats compared to a more even distribution in seagrass. Densities of adults were highest inside the BIRNM in 1050 patchy seagrass where several conch were observed mating and laying egg masses.