The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources has scheduled mandatory pre-registration meetings for all commercial fishers in the Virgin Islands, as announced by Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol. These sessions are essential for fishers preparing for the upcoming licensing period and will cover several critical updates and procedural changes.
Meeting Details and Locations The meetings will be held on two separate days to accommodate fishers from different regions:
- St. Croix: The session is scheduled for Monday, June 10th, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the UVI Great Hall, North-West Wing.
- St. Thomas-St. John: Fishers in this region are invited to attend on Tuesday, June 11th, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Muse Events Center on the Waterfront.
Agenda and Expectations The agenda for these pre-registration meetings includes important discussions on compliance updates, catch reporting protocols, and enhancements to the port sampling program. The Division of Fish and Wildlife will also host presentations from the Local Food and Farm Council and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, providing valuable information relevant to the local commercial fishing community.
These meetings offer a crucial opportunity for fishers to initiate the license renewal process by completing the first portion required for continued operation. Additionally, the Division of Fish and Wildlife urges all commercial fishers to schedule their port samples and submit any outstanding commercial catch reports promptly. This proactive approach is intended to streamline the renewal process and ensure compliance with updated regulations.
Contact and Further Information For additional details or specific inquiries, commercial fishers are encouraged to contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife via email at [email protected], or by phone at the St. Croix office (340-773-1082) and the St. Thomas office (340-775-6762).
