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Queen Conch: Threatened Species

The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a natural resource held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a Commercially Threatened Species. In Mexico, the fishery of the queen conch is located off the coast of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Due to the significant decrease in its population, in the eighties this practice was closed in Yucatan. In Quintana Roo there is a ban from May to October, for individuals with minimum catch size of 20 inches and catch quota of 30 tons to 12 tons Banco Chinchorro and Cozumel for and limited issuance of permits.

However, the conch is overfished and in some areas is an extinct species; it has been subjected to intense illegal fishing, where conch meat is found in restaurants and markets throughout the year. To counter this situation, Xel-Ha Park has created an environmental education program to create conscious about the protection and rehabilitation of the species. The Park promotes the conservation of the queen conch, protecting the adult population, its reproductive health, and juveniles who have had good growth and survival rates, because of these reasons, the Park is considered a sanctuary for the queen conch.

Xel-Ha is an exceptional place for such studies because the conch lives freely and cannot be captured. Also, the park offers 14 hectares of water formed by contributions from the hydro-geological system of Quintana Roo, which then flows into the Caribbean Sea. The Park also has two ecosystems: sea water and freshwater, which becomes even more interesting for the study of the conch.

The studies aim for basic research of the conch, explained biologists Thomas Stieglitz and Erwan Amice, who visited Xel-Ha for their yearly check-up at the Park. “We’re trying to understand how it relates to its environment, how they use their environment. We are really trying to understand the ecology and biology of the animal.” Also, bimonthly monitoring is performed to determine how the population of the conch is doing in its environment.

Xel-Ha also has a training center for teachers of primary and secondary level of the Mesoamerican Reef Program, which sensitizes teachers and updates on this issue, to contribute, from the classroom, greater awareness among young people. The program is conducted in coordination with the Centre for Research and Advanced Studies CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad Merida. The studies were conducted for the first time in the Caribbean in December 2009.

The Park is a place where the conch is intact. “Xel-Ha is a valuable place for the preservation not only of the Queen Conch, but many other animals,” explained Stieglitz.

Endangered Species: In Mexico and the world are our priority

In Mexico there are thousands of species in danger of  extinction. It is important to take collective responsibility of the critical state of our evolutionary process, since the environment and food chains have been altered by human action, such as: pollution, fishing, hunting, trafficking and illegal catch, among others activities.

The extinction of flora and fauna has serious impacts in ecosystems, especially those regarding food chains. Damage from ancient times has been accelerating because of  food scarcity and environmental degradation.

In Xel Há, we seek to take  care of the flora and fauna as part of  our natural wonder. Xel Há is a natural reef that was formed 5 thousands of years ago and like the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, presents permeable calcareous soil with high vertical erosion. Hence, the fragility of nature is important when considering  goals we want to convey with our visitors.

Three  endangered species in the Park, have  been a priority in Xel Há:

1) Loggerhead turtle

Scientific name: Caretta caretta

Brown tortoise from the back and yellow at the front. The shell is 90 to 114 cm. The loggerhead is carnivorous and feeds on sponges, jellyfish and marine organisms. Highly migratory species reproduce from May to September. It is located in the United States, Yucatan, Veracruz, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua and Brazil.

In Xel Há, loggerhead is  taken care by: Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico Association.

2) Queen conch

Scientific Name: Strombus gigascol Rosa

It is known as pink conch or queen conch because its shell is pearly pink. It’s  invertebrate reproduction is internal. It’s located among the plankton. In the adult stage is larger than 20 cm and weighs up to 2 kgs. Predators are: rays, octopus, turtles, but the biggest predator is the human being. The beauty of its shell and its valued meat make the queen conch an endangered species. For this reason, Xel-Há and the Cinvestav-IPN, Merida Unit, joined several years ago to establish a scientific and educational agreement and the diffusion of science for the sustainable management of this important marine resource of the Caribbean Sea.

3) Manatee

Scientific name: Ntritechus manatus

Manatees are herbivores that spend most of their time searching and ingesting plants.

n 2008, as part of a rescue by federal authorities in Tabasco, 2 specimens of manatees were delivered into the custody of Xcaret and then became part of Xel-Há’s family. Here, manatees receive veterinary care, feeding according to their age and weight, and are monitored around the clock. Manatees are part of a research project of organisms in captivity as they are an endangered species in Mexico and the Caribbean. As a result of the care received in the park, a manatee was born in captivity.

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Remember that a healthy planet is everyone’s responsibility. We invite you to a reflection to become aware of the natural beauty that surrounds us. ”Endangered species ” is our theme in the following free yoga session which will take place at Xel Há on February 25th. Join the movement of consciousness. We are waiting for you!