We are excited to announce the implementation of a Recreational Fishing License Platform. Having a license to fish in the Territory is both a federal requirement under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and by the VI Code. The USVI Recreational Fishing License Platform will allow resident and visitor anglers to register for and purchase their recreational fishing license from an online platform as well as in person at a variety of authorized retail locations throughout the Territory. The fees associated with the USVI Recreational Fishing License Platform will provide a much-needed economic resource for revitalizing fisheries resources in the USVI to ensure its longevity for users across generations. However, while there will be fee exemptions for certain groups, any person engaging in recreational fishing will be required to register for a USVI Recreational Fishing License.

This requirement will have beneficial outcomes for both the natural resources and the people of the US Virgin Islands. It will allow DPNR to collect much needed information and data necessary for effective fisheries management such as catch and effort data, which is used in stock assessment models to estimate the size and health of our fisheries. The data is also used by the federal government in determining the allocation of funding provided to the Territory for activities regarding sportfish restoration – such as boating access and infrastructure, habitat and stock restoration, and research. This initiative will allow DPNR to more directly and effectively engage with recreational fishers to provide meaningful and useful resources for anglers to enjoy the fishery of the USVI.