President Leonel Fernandez issued Decree 269-99 banning the capture of conch and marine species known as "cotorr?n" and "futay." These species are considered in danger of extinction due to indiscriminate methods of fishing by ignorant Dominicans. The ban on fishing of these species is in effect from 1 July through 31 October of every year. The government prohibited the sale of conch during that period.
