Abstract

Queen conch (Aliger gigas) are one of the most important fishery species in The Bahamas from both economic and cultural perspectives, however overfishing has led to dramatic declines in conch stocks (Sherman et al. 2018; Stoner et al. 2019). Conch are particularly vulnerable to overfishing since they suffer from Allee effects where reproduction ceases when adult populations drop below 50-100 per hectare (Stoner et al. 2012a). The southeastern part of the Little Bahama Bank supports one of the most productive conch areas in The Bahamas, including a recently declared marine protected area for East Grand Bahama (EGB), which supports local conch fisheries. In 2019, we conducted a conch stock assessment (via manta tows and belt transect surveys) to assess the status of conch and assist with spatial planning for EGB National Park. However, within two months of the completion of this assessment, Hurricane Dorian (a historic category 5 storm) made landfall devastating communities, infrastructure and mangroves in EGB. To determine the impact of Hurricane Dorian on conch populations and habitats in EGB, in 2021, we completed a follow-up stock assessment. We also mapped suitable conch habitat to further assist with spatial planning and efforts related to conch ranching in the area. A total of 23 sites were surveyed in 2019 and 24 sites in 2021, including 11 sites that were resurveyed to examine changes in conch populations before and after the passage of the storm.