With such a booming business i guess it's fair to think that there is a dump
somewhere with tons of busycon (I pronounce busy-con not boozy-con ) shells
. the great hunt may commence immediately. Mark & Peta  Bethke
Hollywood, Florida
-----Original Message-----
From: William M. Frank <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 1998 8:59 PM
Subject: Re: what are these used for ???
 
 
>As of at least a couple of years ago, there was a thriving Whelk fishery
>in Fernandina, Florida and southern Georgia.  Shrimpers trawl for them
>in the off-season to supplement their income. As of 1994, 15-40 boats
>of Georgia's 400-plus commercial fleet participated in the harvest.
>
>They harvest all three species found there - B. sinistrum, carica, and
>caniculatum.
>The average harvest each year from Georgia waters over the past 14 years
was
>1.18
>million pounds, including shell weight, making Georgia the nations number 1
>producer of whelks (Busycon).
>
>Although some of the processed whelks are sold and consumed in Georgia, the
>bulk of the catch is sold to northeastern markets where it ultimately goes
>to
>seafood markets and resturants.
>
>Over the years we have published several articles in our newsletter
relating
>to this fishery.  We have also investigated as to where the shells
resulting
>from this fishery ultimately end up.
>
>Bill Frank
>1865 Debutante Dr.
>Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645
>Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326
>[log in to unmask]
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>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
>http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mark <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tuesday, October 20, 1998 8:59 AM
>Subject: what are these used for ???
>
>
>>Good morning all.
>>While watching a PBS program on southern light houses  they briefly
>>staggered thru a section on shrimpers who were legally harvesting "conchs"
>>(busycon kieneri or caurica couldn't tell tho as they were very encrusted)
>>using shrimp trawling equipment. the question is , what are these whelks
>>used for , I've smelled the fumes from the boil pot when cleaning these
>>shells and on a scale of 1-10 , 10 being delicious and 1 being army food
>>(slightly above airline cuisine) these whelks were maybe a 2. Are they
>being
>>harvested for the overseas market? any suggestions would help , Mark &
Peta
>>Bethke
>>Hollywood, Florida
>