SpearfishingMap

British Virgin Islands

Americas · Caribbean

Spearfishing is prohibited in the British Virgin Islands. Under section 50(1) of the Virgin Islands Fisheries Act, 1997 (No. 4 of 1997), no person may use a speargun, SCUBA diving equipment, explosive, poison or other noxious substance for fishing in the fishery waters. It is illegal to even use or carry on board a fishing vessel any spear gun or SCUBA equipment for fishing or harvesting marine products. According to the official Government of the Virgin Islands notice, where such prohibited gear is found on a vessel a presumption arises (under s.50(2)) that the persons intended to fish in the fishery waters unless the contrary is proved; the same notice states the offence carries a maximum fine of USD 15,000 on summary conviction (attributed to s.63(a)). The exact statutory wording of s.50(2) and s.63 could not be verified against the consolidated Act (the 1997 Act is not yet published on the official Virgin Islands Laws Online portal and is not on FAOLEX), so those provisions are described from the official notice rather than quoted verbatim. The prohibition applies to residents, foreigners and tourists with no recreational exception, and spearguns/Hawaiian slings may be confiscated by Customs on arrival. The Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022 contemplates allowing spearfishing, but as of February 2025 it had not been brought into force by notice in the Gazette and the supporting regulations remained in drafting, so spearfishing remained illegal under the 1997 Act and the 2003 Fisheries Regulations.

Prohibited
Достоверность данныхСредняя достоверность

Последнее обновление февраль 1, 2025

Регулирующая база

  • §Fisheries Act, 1997 (No. 4 of 1997)
  • §Fisheries Regulations, 2003
  • §Fisheries (Fishing Priority Areas and Protected Areas) Order, 2011 (Statutory Instrument 2011 No. 69)
  • §Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 28)
  • §Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022 (assented but not yet in force as of 2025)
Требуется лицензия
Требуется
Подводное ружьё
Запрещено
Акваланг
Запрещено
Иностранцы
Не допускаются
Макс. гарпунов
0

Закон дословно

Тексты законов

Точные законодательные и нормативные положения, регулирующие подводную охоту здесь, процитированные так, как опубликованы, со ссылкой на каждый официальный источник.

01Section 50(1)British Virgin Islands · national

Prohibited fishing methods - spearguns and SCUBA (Fisheries Act 1997 s.50(1), as quoted in the official Government of the Virgin Islands notice)

Virgin Islands Fisheries Act, 1997 (No. 4 of 1997)

ENОригинал

Subject to section 35 (2), no person shall use any speargun, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving equipment, explosive, poison or other noxious substance for fishing in the fishery waters.

02Prohibited Fishing MethodsBritish Virgin Islands · national

Prohibited fishing methods (recreational fishing guide)

Conservation and Fisheries Department - Guide to Recreational (Pleasure and Sport) Fishing

ENОригинал

In the BVI it is illegal to use or carry onboard a fishing vessel any spear gun, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving equipment, explosive, poison or other noxious substances for fishing or harvesting of marine products in the fishery waters. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is a maximum fine of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15 000.00) for this violation.

03Section 4British Virgin Islands · national

Fishing prohibited in protected areas

Fisheries (Fishing Priority Areas and Protected Areas) Order, 2011 (Statutory Instrument 2011 No. 69), made under section 13(1)(a) and (b) of the Fisheries Act, 1997 (No. 4 of 1997)

ENОригинал

No person shall engage in the fishing of any fish in the protected area otherwise than under the authority, and in accordance with the terms and conditions, of a licence issued under the Fisheries Act, 1997.

04Section 2(1)British Virgin Islands · national

Prohibition of fishing for sharks

Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 28), made under section 14(1) of the Fisheries Act 1997

ENОригинал

No person shall (a) remove from the fishery waters or intentionally engage in the fishing for sharks or any of their parts; (b) intentionally remove the fins, tail or mutilate any shark; (c) sell, purchase or have in his or her possession any shark, shark parts or shark products; (d) export or import any shark, shark parts or shark products; (e) feed, attempt to feed, provide or use food to attract any shark in the fishery waters.

05Section 3(1)British Virgin Islands · national

Prohibition of fishing for rays

Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 28), made under section 14(1) of the Fisheries Act 1997

ENОригинал

No person shall (a) remove from the fishery waters or intentionally engage in the fishing for rays or any of their parts; (b) intentionally mutilate any ray; (c) sell, purchase or have in his or her possession any ray, ray parts or ray products; (d) export or import any ray, ray parts or ray products; (e) feed, attempt to feed, provide or use food to attract any ray in the fishery waters.

06Section 4British Virgin Islands · national

Offence and penalty for taking protected species (sharks/rays)

Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 28)

ENОригинал

Any person who contravenes sections 2 or 3 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.

Когда можно погружаться

Сезоны и временны́е ограничения

Закрытые, открытые и ограниченные периоды в течение года. Всегда уточняйте на месте закрытия по конкретным видам.

янв.
февр.
март
апр.
май
июнь
июль
авг.
сент.
окт.
нояб.
дек.
ЗакрытоОграниченоОткрыто
  • ЗакрытоMargateянв. 1 – март 31

    Closed season for Margate (Jan 1 - Mar 31).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоRed Hindянв. 1 – март 31

    Closed season for Red Hind (Jan 1 - Mar 31).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоNassau Grouperмарт 1 – май 31

    Closed season for Nassau Grouper (Mar 1 - May 31).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоLobsterиюль 31 – окт. 31

    Closed season for Lobster, printed verbatim as 'Jul 31 - Oct 31' in the official Conservation and Fisheries Department recreational fishing guide. The single-day-late July 31 start is reproduced exactly as published (it likely reflects a closure running effectively from end of July through October).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоConchавг. 15 – окт. 31

    Closed season for Conch (Aug 15 - Oct 31).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоWhelkавг. 15 – окт. 31

    Closed season for Whelk (Aug 15 - Oct 31).

    bvi.gov.vg
  • ЗакрытоHawksbill Turtle and Green Turtleапр. 1 – нояб. 30

    Closed season for Hawksbill Turtle and Green Turtle (Apr 1 - Nov 30).

    bvi.gov.vg

Разрешение на охоту

Лицензия

Что нужно, чтобы вам разрешили войти в воду, сколько это стоит и как это получить.

Требуется лицензиячерез Conservation and Fisheries Department (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries), Government of the British Virgin Islands

Application forms requested and returned by fax (1-284-468-2781) or email (cfd@gov.vg), accompanied by a copy of a valid photo ID (passport or driver's licence). Processed by the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Road Town, Tortola. Tel: 1-284-468-2700.

Получить лицензию

Открывает официальный портал · bvi.gov.vg

Требуется лицензия
Тип
Certificate of Registration and Fishery Licence (recreational pleasure fishing); a temporary pleasure fishing licence valid for one month is available. Note: licences cover rod/hand-line angling only - spearfishing is prohibited and no spearfishing licence exists.
Стоимость
Temporary pleasure fishing licence approximately USD 45.00 (valid one month)
Срок действия
Temporary pleasure fishing licence valid for one month
Как получить
Application forms requested and returned by fax (1-284-468-2781) or email (cfd@gov.vg), accompanied by a copy of a valid photo ID (passport or driver's licence). Processed by the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Road Town, Tortola. Tel: 1-284-468-2700.
Орган власти
Conservation and Fisheries Department (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries), Government of the British Virgin Islands
Официальный портал лицензирования · bvi.gov.vg

Снаряжение и техника

Правила по снаряжению

Какое снаряжение разрешено, как его можно использовать и при каких условиях.

Подводное ружьёЗапрещено
АквалангЗапрещено
Макс. гарпунов0

Ограничения

  • Spearguns are prohibited for fishing/harvesting marine products in the fishery waters (Fisheries Act 1997 s.50(1)).
  • SCUBA diving equipment may not be used for fishing or harvesting marine products.
  • Explosives, poison and other noxious substances are prohibited for fishing.
  • It is illegal to even carry a spear gun or SCUBA gear onboard a fishing vessel for fishing; possession on a vessel raises a presumption of intent to fish unlawfully (s.50(2)).
  • Spearguns and Hawaiian slings may be confiscated by the Customs Department upon arrival in the Territory.

Recreational (pleasure) fishing is limited to rods and hand-lines; sport fishing is catch-and-release for big game such as marlin and sailfish, with release of marlin strongly encouraged.

Что можно добывать

Лимиты добычи и охраняемые виды

Дневные квоты, минимальные размеры и виды, которые нельзя добывать ни при каких условиях.

Дневной лимит

Pleasure fishing for personal consumption: maximum retention of 30 lbs of fish per boat.

Охраняемые виды — добывать нельзя

  • ОхраняетсяSharks (all species - Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 2014)
  • ОхраняетсяRays (all species - Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 2014)
  • ОхраняетсяLeatherback Turtle (moratorium / no take)
  • ОхраняетсяLoggerhead Turtle (moratorium / no take)
  • ОхраняетсяJewfish / Goliath Grouper (moratorium / no take)
  • ОхраняетсяHawksbill Turtle (closed season Apr 1 - Nov 30)
  • ОхраняетсяGreen Turtle (closed season Apr 1 - Nov 30)
  • ОхраняетсяNassau Grouper (closed season Mar 1 - May 31)

Moratoriums (NO TAKE) apply to Leatherback Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles and Jewfish (Goliath Grouper). Sharks and rays are fully protected under the Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (limited subsistence/scientific exceptions for licensed local fishermen/permit holders). Closed seasons apply to Margate, Red Hind, Nassau Grouper, Lobster, Conch, Whelk and marine turtles. Since spearfishing is prohibited, these limits are relevant to permitted rod/hand-line fishing.

Кто может охотиться

Гости и резиденты

Чем отличаются правила для иностранных гостей и местных жителей.

Иностранные гости

Не допускаются

Требования

  • Foreign vessels engaged in recreational fishing require a Certificate of Registration and Fishery Licence to fish in BVI waters.

Ограничения

  • Spearfishing is prohibited for everyone, including tourists and foreigners - there is no recreational, tourist or commercial exception.
  • Bringing a spear gun or Hawaiian sling into the Territory may result in confiscation by the Customs Department on arrival.

Foreigners may obtain a recreational fishing licence for rod/hand-line angling, but spearfishing is not permitted under any licence.

Резиденты

Certificate of Registration and Fishery Licence (recreational); separate commercial fisherman registration for licensed local fishermen

Требования

  • Local vessels engaged in recreational fishing require a Certificate of Registration and Fishery Licence.

Преимущества

  • Licensed local fishermen have limited subsistence exception for fishing certain non-endangered sharks under the Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 2014.

Spearfishing is prohibited for residents as well; no spearfishing exception currently exists in law.

Где на побережье

Разрешённые и запрещённые зоны

Названные районы, открытые или закрытые для подводной охоты. Полную картину смотрите на интерактивной карте.

Запрещённые районы

  • Horse Shoe Reef, Anegadamarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including mooring of boats, diving, building construction and fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Beef Island Channelmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Hans Creek, Beef Islandmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • The Sound, Ginger Islandmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Big Reef, Peter Islandmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Green Caymarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • North Bay, Guanamarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Frenchman's Caymarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Taylor Bay, Virgin Gordamarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • South Sound, Virgin Gordamarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • The Sound, Salt Islandmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Money Bay, Norman Islandmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Santa Monica Rockmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
  • Dead Chestmarine protected area

    Fisheries Protected Area (Marine Protected Area). ALL human activity (save snorkeling) is prohibited, including fishing.

    bvi.gov.vg
Показать на карте

Условия на воде

Живые условия

Живой снимок морской и погодной обстановки рядом с прибрежной опорной точкой в стране British Virgin Islands, от Open-Meteo. Условия меняются вдоль побережья — воспринимайте как ориентировочные.

Живая морская и погодная обстановка рядом с Horse Shoe Reef, Anegada.

Условия

К кому обращаться

Органы власти

Официальные органы, отвечающие за рыболовство и лицензирование.

  • Conservation and Fisheries Department (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)

    fisheries authority

    bvi.gov.vgP.O. Box 3323, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 468-2700; Fax: (284) 468-2781; Email: cfd@gov.vg

  • Government of the Virgin Islands - Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour

    environment ministry

    bvi.gov.vgRoad Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Откуда это взято

Источники

Каждое утверждение на этой странице восходит к одному из этих источников.

  1. [01]

    Speargun Fishing Is Strictly Prohibited - Government of the Virgin Islands (official notice, 25 May 2020)

    Официальный
    bvi.gov.vgДоступ получен февр. 1
  2. [02]

    Guide to Recreational (Pleasure and Sport) Fishing - Conservation and Fisheries Department

    Официальный
    bvi.gov.vgДоступ получен февр. 1
  3. [03]

    Fisheries (Protected Species) Order, 2014 (SI 2014 No. 28) - FAOLEX full text

    Официальный
    faolex.fao.orgДоступ получен февр. 1
  4. [04]

    Fisheries (Fishing Priority Areas and Protected Areas) Order, 2011 (SI 2011 No. 69) - FAOLEX full text (lists the 14 protected areas and the section 4 fishing prohibition)

    Официальный
    faolex.fao.orgДоступ получен июнь 16
  5. [05]

    Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022 - Government of the Virgin Islands

    Официальный
    bvi.gov.vgДоступ получен февр. 1
  6. [06]

    Spearfishing illegal for now, premier says - The BVI Beacon

    Вторичный
    bvibeacon.comДоступ получен февр. 1
  7. [07]

    Farming, fishing law is still not enacted - The BVI Beacon

    Вторичный
    bvibeacon.comДоступ получен февр. 1
  8. [08]

    Is Spearfishing Allowed in the BVI? - Lancaster Scuba

    community
    lancasterscuba.comДоступ получен февр. 1

Заметки исследователя

Spearfishing is illegal in the British Virgin Islands. The core prohibition is Fisheries Act 1997 (No. 4 of 1997) s.50(1) (no speargun/SCUBA/explosive/poison for fishing), reinforced by the Fisheries Regulations 2003 and the official Conservation and Fisheries Department recreational fishing guide. The official Government notice attributes the maximum fine of USD 15,000 to s.63(a) and a presumption-of-intent rule to s.50(2); however the consolidated Fisheries Act 1997 could not be retrieved (it is not yet published on the official Virgin Islands Laws Online portal, laws.gov.vg, and is not on FAOLEX), so the verbatim wording of s.50(2) and s.63 could not be confirmed. To avoid presenting paraphrase as statute, the previous s.50(2) and s.63(a) law_texts entries (which were summaries, not quotes) were removed; their substance is retained in the legal_status summary with explicit attribution to the official notice. The Act number (No. 4 of 1997) is corroborated by the Fisheries (Fishing Priority Areas and Protected Areas) Order, 2011 (SI 2011 No. 69), whose verbatim section 4 is now cited from FAOLEX as the in-force legal basis for the protected-area fishing ban; FAOLEX separately mislabels the Act as 'No. 18 of 1997'. The Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022, which would permit spearfishing (without SCUBA), received the Governor's assent but had NOT been brought into force by Gazette notice as of February 2025, with supporting regulations still in drafting; until commencement, spearfishing remains prohibited. Permitted recreational fishing is rod/hand-line pleasure fishing (30 lbs per boat personal-consumption cap) and catch-and-release sport fishing; both require a licence. 14 Fisheries Protected Areas (MPAs) ban all activity except snorkeling (confirmed against both the recreational guide and the 2011 Order). Only 2 MPAs (Horse Shoe Reef/Anegada area, Dead Chest) carry coordinates, and those are approximate centroids derived from gazetteer data, not from the legal instrument; remaining MPAs lack precise published coordinates and are left without coordinates to avoid fabrication. Confidence is medium: the legal status (prohibited) is well-sourced from official government material, but two penalty/presumption provisions rest on an official press notice's paraphrase rather than the verifiable consolidated statute.

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