The Curaçao Sea Aquarium, the Queen Conch Hatchery and Corendon Resorts have launched a pilot project for the reintroduction of the queen conch (Aliger gigas), locally known as karkó, in the bay at Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort.
As part of this project, twenty of these marine snails (ten males and ten females) were released yesterday in the rocky underwater area of Corendon Mangrove Bay. Prior research had shown that this area provides an excellent feeding ground and habitat for the conch. Some specimens had already been observed there earlier, having established it as part of their natural habitat.
The aim of the pilot by the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and the Queen Conch Hatchery is to investigate whether the released animals can also reproduce successfully at this location.
“Corendon Resorts is happy to participate in the project. Sustainability and protecting nature in Curaçao are top priorities for us, and with the collaboration with the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and the Queen Conch Hatchery we have established a wonderful partnership,” emphasized Biray Ogut, general manager of Corendon Hotels.
According to the scientists involved, the outlook is very promising. The scientists will closely monitor the development and progress of the population through periodic field studies and weekly observations during the karkó’s breeding season, which runs from July to November.
The queen conch is a large-shelled marine snail from the family Strombidae. The species is widespread in the Caribbean but is increasingly threatened by overfishing and habitat loss. With this initiative, the parties involved aim to contribute to the recovery and protection of this iconic species.
