Fellow collectors: As a forum newcomer I have a big question. Does anyone know a source that would list the laws for all the Caribbean (and other) countries regarding collecting live shells. Also, any info. on scuba charters that either cater to or don't mind shell collectors. Tom H.

Dear Tom,

Shell collecting rules may effectively change from one country to one other even in the same geographic area.

One International Rule is that collecting shells and especially live ones is forbidden while scuba diving. Shells often are protected in marine reserves too while snorkeling.

In Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Martin and in all these french zones it's not forbidden excepted in marine reserves.

I know that it is strictly forbidden to scuba without a Ranger in St Lucia too, meaning laws differs a lot in this geographic area.

Sincerely,
David

Thanks David. Any info. available on Puerto Rico & Dominican Rep.?

unfortunately not Tom...

Dear David,
cud you please to tall me is't available to collect sea shells in Sri Lanka?Thank you. Vtalij.

Hi,

Well, I do not know exactly but Felix Lorenz went there for a shelling trip so...
article here :
http://www.seashell-collector.com/articles/2005/Lorenz/Sri%20Lanka.htm

regards
David

What about in the southern us states? thank you!

Has somebody information on shell collecting/exporting laws in Malaysia and Singapore?  

--Last edited by mikede on 2008-02-02 01:24:51 --

As far as the Southern states goes, I've never heard of any laws at all on the East Coast, North of Florida. West of Fla. to Texas, I don't know. Florida prohibits taking Queen Conchs (just live ones, or dead ones too, not sure). Also, in Lee County (Sanibel Island), no live shells at all can be taken with the exception of Coquinas, I think. The rest of Florida lets you pretty much take anything (except Queen Conch) if you buy a fishing license. There are limits, but nothing a consciencous collector would worry about. I have another question though: Many folks seem to be concerned aboput taking shells out of other countries--Export laws, etc. I know some countries prohibit taking live shells out of the country--but if you boil/clean them, how does anyone know if it was taken live by yourself or by a local and sold to you? I know of other folks who talk of restrictions by Canada and the U.S. on bringing shells INTO Canada and the U.S.--something I never even worried about. Do any restrictions actually exist for importing INTO the U.S. or Canada, and if so, again, how do customs know that you collected the shell live if there is no animal? In other words, who in the heck is bringing LIVE mollusks into or out of ANY countries, people who work at aquariums?