Ask the people you rent from.. Google Ciguaterra..There is risk of it in any fish you may buy if you dont buy from proper sources.
We love St John and were warned about this on our second trip a few years back. great fish to be had, but you need to know the. source ..

Thanks for the reply Boodles. I am aware of ciguaterra as I was raised in the tropics and have traveled to Tortola and Antigua. Do you know the proper sources to buy fish on STJ? Thanks, Laura

Hi

I have been to STT & STJ about 4 times, most recently in February 2010, not sure if you were planning any trips over to STT or stopping for groceries BUT there are local fisherman who come in with their catch at various times ofthe day - can be 10, 12pm or even dusk located at the Sapphire Beach resort Marina side. Can't help you with STJ - in fact I am headed down to my condo there in a few days & would like to know myself, but would much prefer to catch ourselves (even given the cig. threat).
We also have fished in Tortola, Elethera, Exuma & the Keys no problem.
Hope this helps.

Take Care

On St. John, you can usually find local fishermen in Cruz Bay near Nature's Nook, which is across from the Customs Port. They usually just sit there with their big white coolers waiting for people to come by. You can also sometimes see people across from the Post Office. These guys don't want you to get sick, so they aren't going to sell you anything "iffy". I've checked their catches and coolers often and have never seen anything in there that might get someone sick. Nothing like some fresh caught fish!!! Have a great time!

hey there stjohnjulie!
Do you know what time the fisherman near Nature's Nook you've referenced are usually there?

Thanks!

Thanks stjohnjulie, I will definitle pay them a visit. I agree, nothing like fresh fish on the grill. If anyone is questionable about the fish being contaminated with "cig", one test we do is to touch the liver to your lips or tongue, if you feel a numbing or tingling sensation look elsewhere. Look forward to coming back to the islands! Laura:@)

cruisingal wrote:
If anyone is questionable about the fish being contaminated with "cig", one test we do is to touch the liver to your lips or tongue,

Is it just me or does the idea of this make anyone else go ewwwwwwwwwwww......?

Besides, how does one even go about locating the liver in a fish. I didn't even know fish had livers. Then again, I guess that's where cod liver oil must come from.

LOL!!

There is no simple field test for ciguatera.

Usually the guys are there in the afternoon, around 4pm or so. That is for the fish caught that day. Sometimes I see guys near the Post Office much earlier than that, but I'm not sure if they got up REALLY early to catch that.

I have never heard of that test for ciguatera....but most of the time the fish will already be scaled and gutted, so I don't think there will be any liver to touch your tongue to even if you wanted to 😛

You can also buy fish along the waterfront in Coral Bay. Whenever there is someone with a white cooler they are selling fish.