Shell searching: is it legal? Best places?

[Sabine]

Hello everybody!

First of all congratulations to this wonderful and very informative Forum! I will travel to Tobago end of this month and before I fly, I guess I will spent a night in front of my computer and print out every single hint you are giving on this website...

My question now is the following: I am very interested in collecting shells and mussels on the beach. Do you know if I have to be careful with this hobby? Is it allowed to take the shells back to germany or do I have to fear any consequences? Do you know about the legal requirements?

And by the way: Do you know any beaches at tobago that are particulary recommendable for shell-searchers?

Thank you very much,
Sabine

[Gabriele]

Dear Sabine, there are two locations where my daugthers have been particularly blessed in finding shells: Arnos Vale (you may enter through the Arnos Vale Hotel) and at the southern tip of the Crown Point Airport runway: after high tide (especially if the sea is a little bit rough) you may find several shells. Direction: pass the Crown Point Hotel, Tropikist untill you meet the fence of the airport. The road turns to the right and continue for another 200 meters. You wil be standing at the foot of the runway. The beach is on the left. ciao

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Sabine

As far as I know, it is not illegal to collect shells, etc.

Enjoy

[Sabine]

Thanks very much Gabriele and Steve -

this sounds so strange to a normal inhabitant of a big, noisy and crowded city: I just cannot imagine to do both at the same time: standing at the runaway and looking for shells of the carribean sea and enjoying the atmosphere

I just cannot concentrate on my normal work anymore , I am so curious what it will be like in Tobago...

Well, maybe I will find some empty shells as well under the water.

I'll let you know.
Sabine