B&D Trawling, the leading company in Jamaica’s conch cluster, has achieved a significant milestone for the nation’s fisheries sector.

They have made the inaugural shipment of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified queen conch to the Cayman Islands. This groundbreaking event follows Jamaica’s global precedent set last year, when its queen conch fishery became the first in the world to receive MSC sustainable certification.

The momentum continued earlier this year in February when the Conch Cluster received the Chain of Custody certification, the second part of the previously mentioned certification. This vital milestone confirms that the conch can now be sold under the MSC label, having met rigorous traceability standards required by the world’s most prestigious sustainable seafood certification body.

Traditionally, the Jamaican queen conch has been exported to Martinique and Guadeloupe, where it holds a cherished place in the culinary traditions. However, this latest shipment to the Cayman Islands marks a significant breakthrough into markets previously dominated by lower-priced conch from neighbouring countries. What sets this moment apart is the changing tide of consumer preferences—driven by environmental awareness and a commitment to sustainable sourcing.

“More consumers today are choosing seafood that supports ocean health and species preservation,” said Roderick Francis, CEO of B&D Trawling. “The MSC certification not only elevates Jamaica’s queen conch on the global stage, but it also gives us access to discerning markets where sustainability matters more than just price.”

As a result of this milestone, Jamaican MSC-certified queen conch will now be available to consumers at Foster’s flagship supermarket in Camana Bay, one of the Cayman Islands’ premier grocery retailers. This visibility in a high-end retail environment signals a major step forward in market positioning and brand visibility for Jamaica’s sustainable seafood products.

The MSC label assures buyers and consumers that the product they are purchasing has passed stringent environmental and traceability standards. With this achievement, Jamaica continues to lead the Caribbean in responsible fishing practices and marine resource management.

Jamaica’s strict fisheries regulations enabled the success of this initiative, which has earned the country a global reputation for having the best-managed queen conch fishery in the world. It also underscores the critical role of international cooperation and support. “Special thanks goes to the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility and its donors—UK Aid, the Government of Canada, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)—for their financial and technical assistance in helping Jamaica’s fishery sector meet global standards,” Francis expressed.

With this first sustainable shipment to the Cayman Islands and retail placement in Foster’s, Jamaica is not only setting a new benchmark for the region but also reaffirming its place as a leader in sustainable seafood.