SELECTED BVI LAWS & LEGISLATION

By no means is this list all inclusive of the laws governing the marine resources of the British Virgin Islands, these are some of the most common laws. 

The Government of the Virgin Islands is currently reviewing strengthened environmental legislation and policies. This page will be updated as amendments and new legislation are passed through Cabinet and published in the Gazette. If there are any laws you are wondering about, contact us and we can add them to the page.​​

Laws protecting coral reefs & seagrass beds

ANCHORING, FISHING, USING A MOORING WITHOUT A PERMIT, COMMERCIAL FILMING OR REMOVING ARTIFACTS from the RMS Wreck of the Rhone Marine Park is strictly prohibited unless authorised by the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands. 
(Virgin Islands National Parks Act, 2006; Marine Parks & Prohibited Areas Regulations, 1991)

TAKE, COLLECT, POSSESS OR DAMAGE any coral, sponge or algae is illegal unless you obtain written permission from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change. 
[VI Fishery Regulations, 2003; Part IV, Sec. 28.(1); Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations, 2020; Part IV, Sec. 28(1))]​

NOXIOUS AND POISONOUS POLLUTANTS are not allowed in any fresh, estuarine of fishery waters of the BVI.
[VI Fishery Regulations, 2003; Part IV, Sec. 32.(1)]

---

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING THROUGH THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS, certain marine species, shells, coral and wildlife products may be restricted under U.S. federal law and the USVI Endangered and Indigenous Species Act. You should verify U.S. Customs and wildlife import requirements before travelling.

SHELLS AND CORAL ON THE APPENDIX 1 CITES LIST may not exported from the Territory without the appropriate permits. Items may be seized in the BVI or at your destination. Check the official CITES species database before travelling. Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species
(VI Fishery Regulations, 2003 Sec. 28)
​​*You are allowed up to 3 conch shells but make sure nothing is living in it!

A GROUNDED VESSEL that has sustained "material damage affecting her seaworthiness or efficiency", must notify the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry within 24 hours of the accident. (The Merchant Shipping Act, 2001; Sec.160)
                                                                  IF YOUR BOAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, SO IS THE REEF YOU HIT!

The BVI has a watchful resident sailing and diving community. Protecting our marine resources is protecting our livelihoods. If you do anything that remotely looks like you are damaging a reef, you will be reported to the relevant agencies and Marine Police WILL find you. 

Laws protecting the fisheries resources

For information about obtaining a pleasure fishing license call the
​Department of Agriculture & Fisheries

Paraquita Bay,
Tortola, Virgin Islands (British) VG1120
Email Address: [email protected] OR [email protected],
General Office (Paraquita Bay) - 1(284) 468-6123/6124

---

COMMERCIAL, SPORT AND PLEASURE FISHING requires a fishing license AND the boat you are fishing from must be registered
(VI Fisheries Regulations Part I & II).

​ALL BILLFISH are catch & release and includes blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and swordfish
(VI Fishery Regulations, 2003 Part X).

MAXIMUM 30lb LIMIT PER BOAT PER DAY for sport and pleasure fishing licenses
(VI Fishery Regulations, 2003, Part I, II, X).  ​

MARGATE, RED HIND AND NASSAU GROUPER cannot be fished, removed, bought, sold, or be in your possession during closed seasons:

CLOSED SEASONS
​Margate: 1 January-31 March
Red Hind: 1 January-31 March
Nassau Grouper: 1 March-31 May

SPEARFISHING IS ILLEGAL - bringing a spear gun or Hawaiian sling into the Territory may be confiscated by the Customs Department upon arrival.
 (VI Fisheries Act, Sec. 50)

---

ONLY LICENSED COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN are allowed to fish for, remove, or sell lobster, conch, whelk or turtle EXCEPT during closed seasons.

CLOSED SEASONS:
Lobster: 31 July - 31 October
Conch: 15 August-31 October
Whelk: 15 August-31 October
Turtle: 1 April-30 November

FISHPOTS AND NETS belonging to a local fisherman may not be hauled, emptied or destroyed.
(VI Fishery Regulations, 2003, Sec. 41)

​NO ANCHORING OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN FISHERY PROTECTED AREAS:

Horseshoe Reef
Hans Creek, Beef Island
Beef Island Channel
South Sound, Virgin Gorda
Taylor Bay, Virgin Gorda
The Sound, Salt Island
Dead Chest
Big Reef, Peter Island
Green Cay, Jost Van Dyke
Money Bay, Norman Island
Santa Monica Rock
Frenchman's Cay

NO ANCHORING OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN FISHERY PRIORITY AREAS:

Great Harbour, Peter Island
The Bight, Norman Island
Benure's Bay, Norman Island
Frenchman's Cay
West Guana Island
Great Camanoe

​This map is just a general guide. If you have any questions about locations, contact the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change Agriculture & Fisheries Department or National Parks Trust. 

Sharks, Rays & Marine Mammals

THE BVI IS A SHARK & RAY SANCUARY and it is illegal to commercially fish for, sell, have for sale any shark or ray species.
A licensed fisher may take a shark for personal subsistence ONLY. Great or Scalloped Hammerheads are fully protected. Harassment, feeding or mutilation of sharks is illegal. 
[Fisheries (Protected Species) Order of 2014]
Killing a shark because it's scary and you think you are going to get attacked by it is a bad excuse.

MARINE MAMMALS are protected and may not be harassed, captured or killed in BVI fishery waters.
(VI Fishery Regulations, 2003; Sec. 29)
Chasing a whale with a boat could be interpreted as harassment.
​