Shell collecting laws

[tom heimer]

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?