Landings of Trapezium horse conch at Pamban

Fasciolaria trapezium a golden brown shell, commonly known as trapezium horse conch or fox conch, is a species of marine gastropod in the family Fasciolariidae. They are landed as bycatch in the bottom set gill net, especially lobster net (Shingi valai) in Pamban fishing harbor. They are traditionally exploited for the shell craft industry in Tamil Nadu. Most of the shells are being brought from the Gulf of Mannar. It is one of the banned molluscs coming under schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. Hence shell craft industry is not using it. Some fishermen leave the shells back into the sea