United States Virgin Islands

“Spear Fishing” means the taking of Fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled, single, or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.

V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §322 – No explosives, poisons, drugs, or other chemicals may be used to fish in Territorial or Federal waters.

Virgin Islands National Park (36 CFR 7.74) – ... Commercial fishing is prohibited. Fishing using rod and reel, or handline is permitted. Fishing with traps of conventional Virgin Islands design and not larger than five feet at the greatest dimension is permitted. Baitfish may be taken by nets of no greater overall length than 20 feet and of mesh not larger than 1 inch stretched. The possession of or use of spearfishing equipment within park boundaries is prohibited. All fishing is prohibited: in swim zones (designated by white cylindrical boat exclusion buoys), when tied to a mooring ball, and from the following areas 1) NPS Red Hook Dock, and 2) Cruz Bay Finger Pier & Bulkhead.

Buck Island Reef National Monument (36 CFR 7.73) – All fishing and fishing equipment is prohibited throughout Buck Island Reef National Monument. All anchoring is prohibited except in areas designated by the National Park Service (NPS).

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, St. Croix: V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 1, §96. Designated July 19, 1995. It is unlawful to (1) collect, take, or possess any fish, coral, bird, or other wildlife, or part thereof; (2) use or possession of any firearm, bow and arrow, spear gun or any trap, net, or other contrivance designed to be, or capable of being, used to take birds, fish, or other wildlife or to discharge any firearm or release any arrow into the sanctuary.

No-Take Zone – Traditional fishing (including spearfishing, fish traps/pots, gillnets, lobster, whelk and conch harvesting) is prohibited in this zone [Section 98-5(d)(2)]. Removal of, injury to, or possession of living or dead coral (without a permit) is prohibited [Section 98-4(a)(1)]. Allows snorkeling, diving (with a flag), and boating. ... Recreational Zone – Traditional fishing (including spearfishing, fish traps/pots, gillnets, lobster, whelk and conch harvesting) is prohibited in this zone [Section 98-5(d)(2)].

Caribbean Spiny Lobster: V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §319. Size Limit: Minimum size limit of no less than 3.5 inches carapace length. Landing Restriction: Must be landed whole. No harvest of female with the presence of eggs. Gear Restrictions: No explosives, poisons, drugs, other chemicals, spears, hooks, or similar devices may be used to take lobsters. No gill nets or trammel nets may be used.

Spiny Lobster: 50 CFR 622.477(c)(1) and 50 CFR 622.512(c)(1) – A spear, hook, or similar device may not be used in the St. Croix or St. Thomas/St. John EEZ to harvest a Spiny Lobster. The possession of a speared, pierced, or punctured Caribbean Spiny Lobster in or from the St. Croix or St. Thomas/St. John EEZ is evidence of violation.

V.I.R.R., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §321(f) – Use of hookah gear to harvest marine resources in Territorial waters is prohibited.

Reef Fish: 50 CFR 622.477 and 50 CFR 622.512(a) – Explosives, poisons, drugs, or other chemicals may not be used to fish for Caribbean Reef Fish in the St. Croix or St. Thomas/St. John EEZ. (b) – A powerhead may not be used in the St. Croix or St. Thomas/St. John EEZ to harvest Caribbean Reef Fish. The possession of a mutilated Caribbean reef fish in or from the St. Croix or St. Thomas/St. John EEZ and a powerhead is evidence that such fish was harvested illegally.

Sea Turtles: V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §318; Chapter 2 §105(b). Endangered species. No harvest, no possession, and no harassment of sea turtles or their eggs.

Goliath Grouper: Commissioner Prescribed Rule 2005 under V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §316 – The harvest and possession of Goliath Grouper is prohibited year-round in the territory. Nassau Grouper: V.I.R.R., Title 12, Chapter 9A, §316-14(e) – The harvest and possession of Nassau Grouper is prohibited year-round in the territory. (Federal EEZ) Reef Fish: No harvest or possession of Goliath Grouper, Nassau Grouper, Blue Parrotfish, Midnight Parrotfish, or Rainbow Parrotfish.