In a time of growing urgency for ocean health and food security, particularly in island nations, we are excited to share a bold new initiative targeting restoration and resilience for one of the most iconic species in The Bahamas. 

The Island School’s Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) is proud to announce the launch of the Cape Eleuthera Queen Conch Conservancy, a new partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, supported by the Longer Tables Fund, a philanthropic initiative founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés.

This project seeks to help restore queen conch populations in South Eleuthera by establishing a Queen Conch Mobile Lab in partnership between CEI and the world’s foremost expert in queen conch aquaculture, Harbor Branch’s Queen Conch Lab (QCL). Over the last five years, Dr. Megan Davis and her team at the QCL have worked to establish community-based queen conch farms in countries all across the Caribbean. This project will expand their reach in The Bahamas and advance their mission to grow queen conch for the sake of the species, ecosystem, and people who depend on the fishery.

Based at CEI’s campus in South Eleuthera, the Mobile Queen Conch Lab will be a fully equipped trailer, outfitted to grow queen conch from the egg mass stage to early juvenile stage. Once in operation, the Mobile Lab will have the capacity to grow up to 2,000 queen conch juveniles per year for the purpose of conservation and restoration. Along with the implementation of the Mobile Lab, the Conservancy’s broader goals combine science, education, and community involvement to ensure the long-term survival of this culturally and ecologically vital species. The QCL and CEI are working together to provide aquaculture training, resources and materials for local staff; and meaningful hands-on experiences to students, fishers, and the wider community. Together, the Mobile Lab and educational programming create a pipeline of knowledge and youth leadership, empowering the next generation to protect and restore the ecosystems that sustain their communities.

This initiative would not be possible without the generous support of The Longer Tables Fund. Founded in 2023 by Chef José Andrés, The Longer Tables Fund seeks to address urgent issues in food systems, social justice, and education and advocacy, while uplifting communities. This project embodies that mission—restoring queen conch populations while strengthening local economies, food systems, and marine ecosystems.

“We are so pleased to be partnering with Harbor Branch’s Queen Conch Lab and the Longer Tables Fund to address a critical concern in our local environment and the community—the conservation and restoration of the queen conch population,” said Chris Maxey, Founder and Head of School at The Island School. “The project fits squarely into our mission of conducting innovative, cutting-edge environmental research, and sharing and applying what we learn to sustainable solutions within our community.”

Plans are underway for establishing the Mobile Lab and developing programming surrounding our queen conch research and conservation. We hope to have the Mobile Lab on the ground and in operation by November 2025.