Notification of seasonal prohibition on the possession of vermillion, black, silk and black fin snapper to prevent overfishing, as per Title 12, V.I.R.R., chapter 9A, subchapter 316-14(b) and 50 CFR 622.33(a)(6).
The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources informs the public of the seasonal prohibition on the possession of vermilion, black, silk and black fin snapper in territorial waters and federal waters. In order to reduce fishing effort and to prevent overfishing of these species during peak reproductive months, the possession of vermilion, black, silk and black fin snapper in territorial waters, with the exception of St. Croix, is prohibited from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 each year, according to a press release from DPNR Commissioner Robert S. Mathes.
The seasonal prohibition is compatible with federal regulations for these species in U.S. Caribbean federal waters, developed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries Service. Caribbean federal waters are those waters extending 200 nautical miles offshore from the nine-mile seaward boundary of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the three-mile seaward boundary of the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
DPNR asks everyone’s cooperation in order to protect resources for the present and future benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.
For additional information on vermilion, black, silk and black fin snapper or other fisheries’ regulations, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 772-1955 on St. Croix or 775-6762 on St. Thomas.
