Shells, sand, rocks, and other beach items???

teresa,

i'm not 100% sure on the local laws concerning beach combing, but you can contact dpnr to find out. here are the contact info for both st croix and st thomas/st john districts.

Division of Environmental Protection
Cyril E. King Airport Terminal Building, 2nd Fl.
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 774-3320
Fax: (340) 714-9549

Division of Environmental Protection
45 Estate Mars Hill
Frederiksted, VI 00840
Phone: (340) 773-1082
Fax: (340) 692-9794

also, they have a website at http://www.dpnr.gov.vi

hope this helps.

-adam

Hello Teresa,

When you call let us know what they tell you. I have only called to inquire from customs at the airport. And they are the ones who said that it was illegal to take shells from beaches in the USVI and that shells are confiscated if found in luggage.

Never asked whether it was illegal to take them period. Or illegal to take them and transport them off island. I would guess its the former, that its illegal to take them period. If that is the case, you'll be debating 'how would they know' vs. 'what effect does it have on the beach if we all take shells, coral, sea fans, rocks away'.

I know it is illegal to remove sand from the beaches.

In any case I'd like to know what the Environmental Protection office tells you.

--Islander

I just brougth two conch shells back to Kentucky with me. I was up front and asked the agricultural guy at the airport if it was ok. He x-rayed my bag and then asked to see the shells. He actually had a tool to check the size and thickness on the "lip" of each shell. The shell has to be at least 9" long. It was no problem.

We picked ours up snorkeling off of Cheney Bay where the conch fishermen clean the conch. All the way around the point to the right.

Hello All,

Interesting about the conch shells. I have called and have not gotten thru to someone who will answer my questions. I have also emailed them, but you know how these things work. I will keep trying.

Teresa

Not knowing or hearing of the laws prior, we brought back a nice (meduium) sized zip lock bag full of little shells, sea glass, and a sand dollar in our checked baggage...all found washed up on the beach. Of course we do the same at most beaches we visit for our home fishbowl collection of shells.

I haven't found a conch shell yet, but official word on the subject would be cool.

Customs checked my bag and let me bring home a bunch of sponges. I also brought home a few sea erchin shells (dead of course). All found washed up on Grapetree beach near the Divi Carina, (excellent place to snorkel) where at the time they were just starting to build the addition to the resort.

hi all,

i just spoke with a guy from dpnr (environmental protection division). he told me that it is illegal to remove all shells except for conch and another i can't remember (something west indie shell). for the conch, it must be 9" long from tip to tip and its lip must be 3/4 of an inch. working at the airport i see a lot of people have shells taken away by agriculture, while at the same time seeing lots of people being allowed to take shells. if you want to risk it, that's your choice. i wouldn't. hope this helps.

-adam

Thanks Adam,

I still couldn't get thru by phone to anyone who would answer my questions with the DPNR, but I expected as much. They were actually very nice on the phone, but no one wanted to give info. They possibly didn't want to be quoted if they made a mistake? I don't know.

I personally won't take any off island. It was just to decorate my porch on island, however I wouldn't want to take a shell that a hermit crab might need to move into later. 🙂 The conch shell makes sense since some actually cook the meat and I am sure it had to be a certain size to be eatable.

Thanks again,
Teresa