Does anyone know where I might be able to purchase 10-16 conch shells in the bavaro/el cortecito area without buying them at a souvenir shop? I have tried a couple restaurants but they have been unreliable.
Thanks for the response, I have already found some really nice ones but I will still need more in the future. I will have to keep my eyes open for such a person, do you know how much he charges for a nice big clean conch shell? One souvenir shop tried telling "for you my friend great deal, only 1000 pesos" I laughed and walked away. The cheapest I have found nice ones is 300 pesos each.You can buy them right along the beach, there is usally a vendor that carries a large bag full of them and other shells along the beach, he sometimes carries a "Fishing Spear" too. At least once daily he passed by the resorts in the Bavaro/El Cortecito area....
Conch is a protected species - do not think about exporting - they will be taken.
Better not to encourage fishing for these creatures.
Lobatus gigas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yanandu
I was under the impression that fishermen already fish for them for the meat. I am not trying to export them or take them out of the country with me.Conch is a protected species - do not think about exporting - they will be taken.
Better not to encourage fishing for these creatures.
Lobatus gigas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yanandu
I was under the impression that fishermen already fish for them for the meat. I am not trying to export them or take them out of the country with me.
Yes, but if fishermen get so much for the meat and even more for the shell they hunt harder.I was under the impression that fishermen already fish for them for the meat. I am not trying to export them or take them out of the country with me.
Understood and yes you learn something new everyday.Yes, but if fishermen get so much for the meat and even more for the shell they hunt harder.
Leave well alone.
If you have one make a plaster cast and make faux shells.......
Yanandu
My apoligies, I had no idea they were endangered, I will encourage others NOT to buy them on the beach...Like I said in the past you learn something new everyday on DR1....thanks for the link yanandu
they are not classified as endangered, but they are protected. (says that in the article) The meat and shells are not permitted to be exported COMMERCIALLY. buying a shell as a souvenir is probably fine. the danger to the species was commercial overfishing.