"Recreational sport fishing for reef fish, coastal pelagic and pelagic species is a popular pastime in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Random household telephone surveys conducted by Jennings 1992 and Mateo 2004 indicate that approximately 10% of Virgin Islanders recreationally fish. Although commercial fishing regulations were legislated in1972, regulations specifically for recreational fishing are, for the most part, non-existent, except for conch and shrimp. Recreational fishery assessment surveys have been intermittent and the resource users and fishery are not well defined. The only long-term database maintained is on the recreational tournament fishery. Federal regulations now require a registration of all anglers and spearfishers fishing in federal waters (Marine Recreational Information Program-MRIP). The development of a territorial recreational fishing licensing program and recreational fishing regulations is needed"--P. 2.

Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)

Funding: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; grant number: WC133F06SE4002; project number: WC133F06SE4002;

United States Virgin Islands