Man visits Florida for seafood — ends up in jail instead

A plan to prepare a bowl of seafood chowder ended with an arrest in the Florida Keys after authorities say a man removed two protected queen conch from the water.

Geoffrey Leigh Blatt, 69, of Overland Park, Kansas, was arrested Friday afternoon, October 9, near Mile Marker 40 in the Lower Florida Keys.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Marine Deputy Luis Giuardinu was monitoring diving activity in the area when he overheard Blatt speaking with another diver.

During the conversation, Blatt reportedly said he intended to take queen conch home to prepare conch chowder, a traditional seafood soup.

The deputy continued observing him and later saw Blatt emerge from the water carrying two live queen conch.

Why Was He Arrested?

Although conch is a familiar ingredient in Caribbean cuisine and is associated with the Florida Keys, Florida law prohibits harvesting or possessing live queen conch.

The restrictions are designed to protect the species, which has faced population declines and remains vulnerable to harvesting pressure.

Authorities arrested Blatt at approximately 3 p.m. on charges related to possession of the protected marine animals.

He was subsequently booked into custody by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

A Meal That Became a Legal Problem

The unusual incident highlights an important distinction for visitors to Florida: just because a seafood dish is popular in the region does not mean the species can legally be collected from local waters.

Queen conch dishes may be served by restaurants using legally sourced products, but taking live queen conch from Florida waters is prohibited.

What began as an apparent plan for homemade seafood soup instead ended with a trip to jail.

The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and an arrest does not constitute a conviction.