Historically, conch have been an important seafood throughout the Caribbean. However, the shell middens that have formed over hundreds of years, near fishing villages reflect heavy harvests that have depleted the once abundant populations. Bonaire has shell middens like so many other islands, but not much of a viable conch population.
Over the years of diving here, I have occasionally seen small conchs, but this week I found a live adult queen conch, about 9 inches in length, on a sandy flat, at about 70 feet deep.
I could see its eye stalk protruding beyond the shell. Then I turned it over, to see it retract its mantle. After I took the photo, I returned the conch to its upright position.
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