News Articles

A.J. Pike USVI - A federal fishing order can sound distant from the dock until it changes who gets a permit, what data a captain must report, how fast a rule moves, or whether a visitor can book a charter without friction. For the U.S. Virgin Islands, those details matter because fishing is both a livelihood and a tourism asset, and because the resource base is small, reef-linked, and sensitive. President Trump’s September 2026 executive order, “Restoring American Saltwater A

Axel Dash USVI - The U.S. Virgin Islands sit where inshore mangroves, coral reefs, deep blue water, and offshore banks all crowd into one small region. That mix is the reason fishing here can mean dropping bait for snapper at sunrise, casting to rolling tarpon by lunch, and trolling for pelagics before the day is done. This U.S. Virgin Islands fishing guide covers the fish most anglers ask about first, especially snapper, grouper, and tarpon. It also looks at productive areas

Axel Dash USVI - A fishing charter can feel like the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, until the night before, when the questions start piling up. What should go in the bag? Are snacks allowed? What if the boat rocks more than expected? Do beginners need special gear? The good news is simple: most charter crews want guests to have a great day, and they usually provide the heavy-duty fishing equipment. A little preparation makes everything smoother. You will board with

Axel Dash USVI - A fishing charter can be the highlight of a vacation, a serious shot at a trophy fish, or a relaxed morning on the water. The tricky part is choosing the right kind of trip before you ever step on the boat. Most charter operators offer two main options: private charters and shared charters. Both can put you on fish. Both can include licensed captains, gear, bait, and local knowledge. The difference is how the trip feels, how much control you have, and how the

M.A. Dworkin St. Croix - There’s an old fishing slogan that captures the joy, relaxation, and adventure of angling: Bait It and They Will Come. Here to help make those fishing dreams come true is the arrival of Sandy’s Bait & Tackle which has recently opened its doors at 55 Company Street in downtown Christiansted. This very cool looking fishing supply store is filled with everything an Angler needs to make for a great day out on the waves. From a great variety of clas

Axel Dash USVI - In observance of National Boating Week, May 16 - May 22, 2026, Commissioner Jean Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is announcing the launch of a new Life Jacket Loaner Program through the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), aimed at increasing access to safe recreational boating throughout the USVI. The program will help both adults and children participate in boating activities who may not otherwise have acces

M.A. Dworkin USVI - In a tense, escalating economic dispute, being described as a Charter Boat Trade War, that has now reached the U.S. White House and Congress, Governor Albert Bryan Jt. and members of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands met to discuss the hot topic of the recent outrageous increase of fees imposed by the British Virgin Islands on cargo and trade entering from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Government House officials said the fees function as an unre

Precautions: • Avoid swimming at dusk and dawn. • Always swim with a buddy. • Swim in clear, calm water. • Follow local swim guidelines and lifeguards. • Don't feed sharks while snorkeling or diving. If sighted: • Remain calm making no sudden movements. • Keep eye contact with the shark while floating or swimming backwards. • Exit the water. If you witness an accident: • Exit the water and call 911. • Assist the victim out of the water if safe. Apply pressure to their wound.

M.A. Dworkin Caribbean Sea - Green Turtle populations have recovered so successfully that their official status has been downgraded from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Least Concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) have declined in numbers by between 48 to 67 per cent over the last 200 years, largely due to human influences such as fisheries bycatch, loss and degradation of nesting sites and

St. Croix Times Staff USVI - Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) reminds the public of the annual 3-month seasonal closure for the following Snapper species: Black Snapper (Apsilus dentatus) Silk Snapper (Lutjanus vivanus) Vermillion Snapper (Rhomboplites) Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella) As mandated by 50 CFR 622.435(A)(1)(iii) and Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations (V.I.R.R.), Title 12, Chapter 9A 316-13 $ 31

Understanding Coral Reefs and Their Importance Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that play a crucial role in marine biodiversity. They are made up of colonies of tiny individual corals, known as polyps. These marine invertebrates have hard exoskeletons composed of calcium carbonate. Polyps are sessile, meaning they are permanently fixed in one location. They grow slowly, forming various shapes and sizes depending on their species. Alongside other animals with calcium carbonate

M.A. Dworkin USVI - Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) and the Division of Fish...