it is illegal to take conch shells with living organisms from florida , is going to jail for 15 days .
fiscal - gonzalez , who pleaded guilty , said she did n't know taking the shells from the beach was illegal .
recreational collection of empty seashells is allowed in florida keys culture .
more : florida bucket list : 20 things you have to do in the sunshine state fiscal - gonzalez was arrested by an officer from the commission on july 13 , 2017 , after an anonymous tipster called the agency .
taking a living queen conch is illegal .
follow ashley may on twitter : @ashleymaytweets read or share this story : https : usat.ly2uwcufe she said she did n’t know it was illegal to take conchs .
empty conch shells , which produce a unique sound when blown , have also been used as signaling devices in the florida keys for centuries .
officer john martino reported seeing three containers full of queen conches soaking in bleach and water when he met with fiscal - gonzalez .
native - born islanders are called conchs , and the keys are nicknamed the conch republic .