The West Indian top shell or magpie shell is a species of large edible sea snail from the Tegulidae family. It has a large black and white shell that although rough in the wild can be polished up into a beautiful shell. Please see the polished shells we have listed.
This species occurs along the Caribbean coast from Mexico to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. It also occurs in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic and as far south as Trinidad and Tobago.
These large sea snails are boiled and eaten in a variety of different local recipes and collection for food is heavily regulated. No collecting is allowed during their reproductive season and there is now a minimum harvest size regulation. All our shells are collected as a by-product from the food industry.
Price is for approx 300 gram pack and each pack will usually contain 2 to 6 shells depending on size. Sizes vary between 4.5 to 7cm long and are scooped at random.
It is a natural product so may have nicks, chips and scratches.
Environmental Note:
With our increasingly sophisticated lifestyles aided by modern technology we are forging an ever growing demand on our fragile world's natural resources. Alongside our desire to learn about and collect natural objects, it is essential not to lose sight of our mandate to manage and care for all our natural wonders - seashells are by no means the least of them.
The biggest threat to seashells is the destruction of habitat, with pollution being the number one killer. We dump vast quantities of sewage, rubbish and industrial waste into our oceans. Tough controls are required if we are to sustain our natural marine resources for future generations.
In recent years a convention on international endangered species (CITES) was formed. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants (Including marine life) does not threaten their survival.
Our suppliers take pride in recycling over 99% of their shell products from audited, sustainable fishing activities. It is their mandate to only work with responsible sources and through understanding and knowledge bring shells to today's generation without endangering species for generations to come.