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Virgin Islands Activities: Recreational Fishing Regulations

The information provided below is not comprehensive and is subject to changes and updates. For current and comprehensive regulations contact the Division of Environmental Enforcement in St. Croix at (340) 773-5774 and St. Thomas (340) 774-3320 ext. 5106. For regulations in federal waters contact the National Marine Fisheries Service at (727) 570-5325 or toll free at (866) 570-5301.

License

General recreational fishing permits are presently not required for recreational fishers. This includes persons who engage in fishing for the sole purpose of providing food for themselves or their families and those who catch and release fish. Sale of catch by recreational fishers is not allowed. Recreational fishers can not use the following fishing gear: pots, traps, set-nets and haul seines.

However, recreational fishers are required to have permits to fish in three special locations: 1. A recreational shrimp fishing permit is required for the harvesting of shrimp from Altona Lagoon and Great Pond on St. Croix. 2. A permit is required to collect baitfish with a cast net or fish with a hook and line in the Great St. James Reserve. All other fishing and harvest of other animals and plants is prohibited in this area. 3. A permit is required to collect baitfish using only a cast net in the Cas Cay Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve off of St. Thomas. All other fishing and harvest of other animals and plants is prohibited in this area. Permits can be purchased at the Division of Environmental Enforcement.

Commercial fishers are required to have a commercial fishing permit.

Note: The British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have their own laws and regulations pertaining to fishing. For example, licenses are required for recreational fishing within the British Virgin Islands.

Regulations:

Species Size & Landing Restrictions Territorial Waters Federal Waters National Park Closed Season

Whelk

shell must be greater than 2-7/16" in diameter. Must land whole in shell.

1 gal. per fisher per day

April 1-September 30

Conch

Minimum size 9" shell length from spire to distal end, or 3/8" lip thickness. Must land whole in shell.

6 per day per fisher, not to exceed 24 per boat per day.

3 per day per fisher, not to exceed 12 per boat. No use of hookah gear.

2 per fisher per day

July 1 - Sept. 30

Spiny Lobster

3.5 carapace. Must land whole. No harvest of females with eggs. No spear fishing, hooks or gigs.

2 per fisher per day

Yellowtail Snapper

12" total length.

Blue Marlin

99" Lower Jaw Fork Length. Rod and reel only.

No Commercial Harvest; no sale.

White Marlin

66" Lower Jaw Fork Length. Rod and reel only.

No Commercial Harvest, no sale.

Sailfish

63" Lower Jaw Fork Length. Rod and reel only.

No Commercial Harvest, no sale.

Territorial Waters extend from shore to 3 miles offshore.
Federal Waters extend from 3-200 nautical miles offshore.

Additional Remarks

A major effort has recently been formed toward tag and release. Don' t take more fish than you can use. Respect and appreciate the ocean.

Follow USVI Fishing Regulations and Good Fishing!

Note: Information for this section was gathered from the U.S. Virgin Islands Commercial & Recreational Fishers' Information Booklet published by the Division of Fish and Wildlife DPNR and the Division of Environmental Enforcement, dated July 2003.


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