Abstract

The queen conch, Strombus gigas, is a species that is at the base of food webs. As a result, it is a source of food for many species. In addition, it plays an important role in the balance of herbaria (Tewfik 2014, Stoner 1989). I t occupies an important place in the fishing economy as it is the second most economically important fishery in the Caribbean. The impact of climate change on the reproduction and calcification of these larvae is a further negative factor in addition to the problem of stock recovery of this exploited species. Thus, in the face of the scarcity of resources, it is important to put in place appropriate and effective management plans. From this perspective, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of the population and its reproductive pattern. In this respect, an important parameter to take into account is the fertility rate and its variations influenced by environmental and biological factors of the organism, in particular with the season and the age of the females. Insofar as fertility is directly related to the life cycle of the species (Remiz-Llodora 2002, Chamber 1989) and in some countries (Dominican Republic, French West Indies, Martinique and Honduras among others) authorized the capture of conchs deep waters, which correspond to older organisms, noting that they are a non-fertile population (without having scientific data). The objective of this study was to determine if older females are no longer reproductive by determining the influence of Queen Conch female age on fecundity, egg quality and larval quality: Biological criteria may be used in population management and protection programs, especially older females / males.

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