Strombus gigas is native to north and Central America. It is encountered along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to the Florida Keys and in the Caribbean Sea and the Bahamas islands at depths from 0.3 to 18 m. S. gigas migrates en masse in offshore directions moving in a flood tide direction (Stoner et al. 1992, Stoner and Lally 1994). 

In the past, a unique population was considered to exist in the Caribbean basin, distinct to the Bermudas’ stock (Mitton et al. 1989). But more recent techniques conducted (e.g. Pérez-Enriquez et al. 2011; Zamora-Bustillos et al. 2011; Appeldoorn and Baker 2013; Banks et al. 2014) have been contributing to the identification of several populations of queen conch in the Caribbean region. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) however considers that more deep research should be developed to understand the structure at a local level (NMFS 2014).

In Nicaragua both landings and exports mantain an increasing trend since 2000. This population was kept perserved in Nicaraguan waters since this resource was not part of a major fishery until mid 1990s (CITES 2012).