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DFW receive funds from various federal government agencies. These funding sources allow the Division to carry out its mission to preserve, protect, restore, and manage the fish and wildlife resources of the Virgin Islands for ecological conservation and sustainable use by the community. To learn more about our Program Funders, please read below.
The Sport Fish Restoration program provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies of the states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education. It was created in 1950, with the passing of the Sport Fish Restoration Act (a.k.a., the Dingell-Johnson Act). Modeled after the successful Wildlife Restoration Act, the Sport Fish Restoration Act dedicated permanent funding for fishery conservation.
Since the Act was passed, it has generated over $11 billion for the conservation and restoration of sport fish species and their habitats. These funds also support connecting people with nature through outdoor recreational opportunities and aquatic resources education programs.
Revenue comes from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats, and the portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats.
Learn more about Sport Fish Restoration by clicking on the logo above.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is the oldest conservation agency in the US government, and the only agency within the federal government tasked with the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American people. Their purpose is to protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters and wildlife.
The largest percentage of programs within DFW are funded by USFWS primarily through the Wildlife Restoration, Sportfish Restoration, Boating Access, and Boating Infrastructure Grant programs. Funds for these programs are derived from manufacturer taxes on ammunition, firearms, and archery equipment, excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and motorboats, and fuel taxes for small engines and motorboats.
You can find more information on the USFWS and the programs they support by clicking the logo above.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a science-based federal agency within the Department of Commerce with regulatory, operational, and information science responsibilities with a presence in every state and territory. NOAA has a longstanding mission of science, service, and stewardship which generates tremendous value for the Nation – and the world – by advancing our understanding of and ability to anticipate changes in the Earth’s environment, by improving society’s ability to make scientifically informed decisions, and by conserving and managing ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes’ resources. Its mission regarding Healthy Oceans is to ensure that marine fisheries, habitats, and biodiversity are sustained within healthy and productive ecosystems.
NOAA currently partners with DFW as collaborators on much of our research and management. The agency collaborates and manages research on our fisheries projects through the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), Caribbean Branch, and the Southeast Regional Office (SERO), and funds research in the territory through the Cooperative Statistics Program (CSP) and the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP). You can learn more about NOAA and the work done by its various offices by clicking the logo above.
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) is one of eight US Regional Fishery Management Councils established in 1976 under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). It is the responsibility of the CFMC to develop fishery management plans for the fisheries in federal waters of the US Caribbean. The Council is an example of collaborative resource management, as the council itself is made up of fishers as well as territorial and federal managers. The Commissioner of DPNR sits on the council and DFW staff are members of many of the committees and technical advisory panels. In addition to management and regulation, outreach and education is an important part of the work of the CFMC. This includes funding fishery liaisons in the USVI and PR and to communicate the work of conserving, restoring, and managing fishery resources in the US Caribbean. If you are interested in learning more about the CFMC, please click the logo above.
The mission of the U.S. Department of the Interior is to protect and manage the natural resources and cultural heritage of the United States; to provide scientific and other information on those resources; and honor it’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. It is the department which houses many of the agencies which fund the work of DFW, such as the USFWS, and the Office of Insular Affairs, which provides grants under the Technical Assistance Program (TAP). It is also where federal authority over the territory of the USVI resides. You can learn more about the DOI by clicking the logo above.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife partners and collaborates with many organizations and non-profits throughout the Territory. These partnerships provide support for research, community outreach, and collaboration in fisheries management. To learn more about the organizations that we partner with, please read below.
The Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) at the University of the Virgin Islands houses faculty, staff, and researchers that study a diversity of topics related to marine and terrestrial ecosystems. CMES is a long-standing partner of DFW and collaborates on research projects, internships opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, and partnering on a variety of community-based projects throughout the Territory.
To learn more about CMES, please click the logo above.
The St. Thomas Fisherman’s Association (STFA) is a non-profit formed of commercial and recreational fishers and families. Members share a common love of fishing, the natural resources and supporting the US Virgin Islands community. The overall goal is to protect and defend the fishery of the St. Thomas/St. John district. In addition, the STFA strives to promote a sustainable fishery through education, outreach and scientific collaboration with government and private entities.
DFW and the STFA partner on various cooperative research studies aimed at collecting fisheries-dependent data to aid in fisheries management decisions. To learn more about the STFA, please click the logo above.
The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) was founded in 1960, and aims to promote and encourage the sport of saltwater game fishing in the USVI and for Virgin Islanders, to promote recognition of saltwater game fishing as a healthful, relaxing, and challenging sport, to encourage good fellowship and clean, honest sporting instincts among its members, and to instill in its members a deep awareness of the vital importance of conservation of marine life and to encourage its members to practice techniques of marine conservation and anti-pollution in the islands and elsewhere.
DFW provides support to the VI Game Fishing Club by being official weighmasters for VIGFC hosted tournaments and providing information about rules and regulations to the sport fishing sector.
Golden Hook Fishing Club was founded in 1999 in St. Croix and aims to promote sport fishing tournaments and encourages conservation of marine resources and fun. However, the founding members have all been sport fishers since the 1970’s.
DFW provides support to the Golden Hook Fishing Club by being official weighmasters for tournaments hosted by the Club and providing information about rules and regulations to the sport fishing sector.
BushTribe Eco Adventures offers kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking tours. Their tours are focused on combining adventure, education and cultural acknowledgment in an eco-sensitive manner that are led by experienced, certified guides with a broad knowledge of island ecology and history.
DFW has partnered with BushTribe Eco Adventures since 2021 to provide free kayaking tours for residents of the Virgin Islands to encourage members of the community to get outside and enjoy the local marine resources of the USVI. To learn more about Bushtribe Eco Adventures, please click the logo above.
Virgin Islands Ecotours is in St. Thomas and St. John and has provided family-friendly eco tours for over 23 years. They offer unique experiences in two of the Virgin Islands’ most breathtaking environments: the protected mangrove lagoon on St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John.
DFW has partnered with VI EcoTours since 2021 to provide free kayaking tours for residents of the Virgin Islands to encourage members of the community to get outside and enjoy the local marine resources of the USVI. To learn more about VI EcoTours, please click the logo above.
The Dolphinfish Research Program’s (DRP) three primary goals were the following: (1) identify migration routes; (2) begin documenting the natural behavior of dolphinfish; (3) and stimulate additional research on the species. Over the last 16 years, the DRP has engaged stakeholders to collect vital information on ecologically and economically important species such as dolphinfish.
DFW supports the DRP by procuring tagging kits for recreational anglers and encouraging them to deploy them on catch and release dolphinfish.
To learn more about the Dolphinfish Research Program, please click the logo above.
As an extension to the University of Puerto Rico’s Sea Grant College Program, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) works to promote the education and awareness of our natural resources in the Caribbean. Operating within the University of the Virgin Island’s CMES department, VIMAS leverages partnerships and collaborations with researchers at UVI and the local Virgin Islands government to accomplish our goals. VIMAS aims to address locally relevant issues within the Territory by hosting annual beach cleanups, marine science summer programs for the USVI’s youth, and recycling glass beverage bottles to assist in the removal of marine debris from the USVI’s shorelines.
To learn more about VIMAS, please click the logo above.
The CORE Foundation aims to inspire the USVI community to be better stewards of the environment through marine awareness education and hands-on coastal programs.
DFW provides yearly support to the CORE Foundation for the annual Lionfish Derby tournament that is hosted on both St. Croix and St. Thomas. This tournament aims to remove as many invasive lionfish from USVI waters as possible. CORE also hosts several culling events throughout the year to continue to remove lionfish from the USVI’s waters.
To learn more about what CORE does, please click the logo above.
Pursuant to V.I. Code Title 11, § 1404, each district in the Territory has a Fishery Advisory Committee (FAC) that are composed of up to 14 members. Each Committee shall include six members that represent a commercial fisher’s association, a sport fishing association, and a diving association. These members are appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) for a one-year term. Members of the FAC bring forth recommendations to DFW and the Commissioner of DPNR regarding a variety of marine resource issues.
If you are interested in being appointed to serve on the FAC in your respective district, please reach out to the Division to learn more.
Pursuant to V.I. Code Title 11, § 1404, each district in the Territory has a Fishery Advisory Committee (FAC) that are composed of up to 14 members. Each Committee shall include six members that represent a commercial fisher’s association, a sport fishing association, and a diving association. These members are appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) for a one-year term. Members of the FAC bring forth recommendations to DFW and the Commissioner of DPNR regarding a variety of marine resource issues.
If you are interested in being appointed to serve on the FAC in your respective district, please reach out to the Division to learn more.
The Shark Ecology Research Program is a program within the Center for Coastal Studies. The core component the Shark Ecology’s Research is determining the connections between the behavior and habits of individuals and populations of macro-organisms and the habitats and food resources they utilize. This is achieved by studying datasets of the biology and behavior of sharks and other marine organisms to determine spatial and temporal patterns of use within a specific habitat. DFW and the Shark Ecology Research Program have partnered up to assess the health and populations of several species of sharks in the USVI.
To learn more about the Center for Coastal Studies and the Shark Ecology Research Program, please click the logo above.