Conch is a mollusk, similar to the West Coast Abalone, encased in a beautiful shell. It is the symbol of the Florida Keys (and Key West), as well as the main ingredient in "Conch Chowder." Because of the extreme popularity of its ornamental shell and meat, the Conch has been over harvested and is subsequently now under state protection. Conch served in Florida restaurants comes from the Bahamas and other spots in the Caribbean where it is harvested from the wild, as well as grown in nurseries.