Fish Farming Program to Launch in USVI; St. Croix Site Identified for Initial Phase

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. met with representatives from Caribbean Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) last week to discuss the introduction of fish farming to the Virgin Islands. The initiative aims to enhance food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and stimulate the local economy through innovative aquaculture practices, according to Government House. The administration said that during the meeting, Governor Bryan emphasized the importance of the project in addressing the territory’s reliance on imported food. "Today marks a significant step forward in our efforts to make the Virgin Islands more self-sufficient and resilient," he said. "The introduction of fish farming will not only help us reduce our dependence on imported food but will also create new opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs." The fish farming system proposed by CSA includes raising fish in inland nurseries before transferring them to submerged cages at depths of 150-200 feet in offshore waters. These c...