Hi!

Is anyone out there a SCUBA-diving shell collector? Has there been any assessment of the damage to Cozumel and the other hurricane-stricken dive sites?

Are there any warm-water divers with hints for finding the popular varieties of seashells; cones, cowries, conchs?

Thanks,

bobblehead

Haven't done SCUBA collecting for 20 years and never in Cozumel. It can be good off Florida's east coast starting at Palm Beach and going south. However, most of the dive boats do drift dives and the captains frown on collecting.

Hi Bobblehead,

I live in Mackay, Queensland, directly opposite the Great Barrier Reef. There are many great collecting areas along the coastline.

I collect cypraea and cones regulary, but I mainly snorkel. Cowries are found from the intertidal zone to very deep water, mainly found under flat rocks, small dead coral peices, crevices, ledges, generally anywhere that looks a good hiding spot. Sometimes you have to study and do some research on where to find specific families, eg. you won't find stolida in the same location as cribraria, not here anyway.

I find most of the cones in sandy reef patches in amongst coral and rocks and hiding under large flat rocks in tidal pools. I've also found mitres in the same way.

Other families I come across are strombs, ovulidae, olives, bivalves etc.

Good luck with your collecting,

Regards,
Iain...{Ozcyp}

Hi Bobblehead,

Sorry mate, no relation to 'Zardoz', but stranger things have happened..LOL

Well, yes, It's a great part of the world here in North Eastern Queensland, but do remember about the deadly seasnakes, box jellyfish, saltwater crocidiles, tiger and bronze whaler sharks that live in our waters. I won't dare start on the nasties that live on the land. Not trying to scare anyone, you just have to be aware, they exist in the area.

It's not all bad, in fact the good far outweighs the bad. The Islands and reefs are worth seeing even if you aren't into shelling or fishing. As one of the great natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef is a must see at least once in a lifetime. If your into collecting there are some rules. The days of collecting without bag limilts are over. You can collect up to 5 shells of any species per month, in the proper zoned areas.
In the last year, there has been a significant increase in green zones on the inner and outer reefs and Islands. If you ever come down this way, pick up the zoning maps from any tourist or fishing shop and it'll clearly show the areas you can collect, at least in Queensland. Collecting in this area can be very rewarding. If your down this way I'll take you out, most welcome.

Regards,
Iain

G'day Bobblehead,

I live in Melbourne, Australia (the colder part of Australia, unlike Iain who I happen to know!).

I scuba dive to collect shells for my collection. It's my fave form of shell collecting as I have a general love of marine life!
Unfortunately there are only 3 types of Cypraea (cowrie) I can collect in diveable depths in the area I live and only a few species of cones (all except one quite rare!). No conchs here!

The shells here are not common, but then that means finding a nice one even the more special!

The Cypraea I find are from the Notocypraea family and can be found on reef, under rocks, in sponges, on weed and even crawling on sand at night. They are not common and often flawed, only a small % anything close to gem, as we have temperate water here from 10 to 22 deg C.

I have done tropical diving for shells and it can be very rewarding. the number and variety of specimens is staggering. I found Vanuatu & Vietnam to be very good, Thailand very average and Malaysia ok!

I don't collect cones, but conchs are mainly found in sand and cowries can be found in many different habitats.


Best of luck if you dive for shells.


regards,
Simon

Hello bobblehead. Think we both look for the same thing. So far, I have found that collecting live shells is forbidden in Cozumel and Costa rica for sure. There is now an NOAA Reserve that surrounds the entire Fla. Keys where it is not only forbidden, but you take your life in your hands trying to collect. I was amazed to read that there are places where it is allowed on the Great Barrier Reef. I, too have found that more often than not that in Florida boat captain's/divemasters, etc. on charters frown on taking live ones. Interesting chit chat on Scuba Forums under "Shell Collecting?" We plan a trip in '09 to Puerto Rico, where I have found that it is legal, but have yet to locate a dive shop/boat that permits it on charters. Think the Dominican is OK as well, as is Panama, I think. Come to Canada- no tropicals, and only Northern stuff, and nobody cares what you take. Tom H