Fighting conch Strombus pugilis is one of six conch
species distributed throughout the Caribbean Sea on sandy bottoms in inshore
waters. Along with the conches S. gigas and S. costatus, S. pugilis is a marine
resource of ecological and economical importance. Until recently, S. gigas meat
was a popular staple food among human populations in the Caribbean region but
is now used mostly as an ingredient in tourist restaurants. S. pugilis is stillwidely consumed by people in the Caribbean, and its shell is used in jewelrymaking. This conch species is also now sought after for use in aquariology,
with prices ranging from $6 to $30 USD per animal in markets as varied as
Southeast Florida, Brazil and the West Indies. Finally, conch species are
grazers, and provide the important environmental service of keeping sea grass
and algae in balance.
Extraction of wild conch has compromised some populations
to the point that protective measures have been implemented. For example, queenconch S. gigas is considered to be commercially threatened in some Caribbeancountries and is consequently protected by the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); indeed, in many
countries a total ban is in place protecting organisms and egg masses.
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