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I am returning to St. John this summer. We are staying at the Westin and I have checked with the staff from the boat rentals there but they could not provide me with any information( I find it hard to believe that they do not know anything about regulations or good locations for fishing/lobstering). What I would like to know is what is the regulations on lobstering/spearfishing in the area? What are some good areas to find the lobsters (unsure if there are even any in the area)? I am an experienced scuba diver and visit the Florida Keys a few times a year for these same activities, not to mention a few others. There are certain regulations in the Keys/Florida but I am unsure what they are in the U.S.V.I.
Lobsters are illegal to spear. You must use a snare. No lobstering or spearfishing in park waters,. There is a size minimum. Good areas to find 'em? Underwater! Haha! That's as close as anyone is going to tell you! People are very secretive when it comes to lobster holes! I know I am!!
Marty, this site seems to indicate that lobsters MAY be taken from the waters of the National Park, as long as they are of the minimum size and are landed whole. Limit is 2 per person.
https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/more_info/fishing/usvifishingregulations.php
Has there been a change? I'd sure like to know the definitive answer before I pack a heavy glove and snare along for my trip next week. Guess I'll ask at the Park Service office when I get to Cruz Bay.
Hello Jason,
For regulations visit the link JP STL provided in his post to our fishing regulations section. As mentioned no one is going to give up their lobster holes, particularly not on the internet.:) But we have lobsters here, whether you are going to find any - well that's part of the fun isn't it! 😉
Hello JP STL,
The information in our fishing section (concerning the park) is from the Virgin Islands National Park.
And I will add here exactly what the NP mentions:
"Fishing is allowed outside of swim areas, but not in Trunk Bay and Jumbie Bay. Spear guns are prohibited anywhere in Park waters.
Caribbean spiny lobster catch is limited to two per person per day and the carapace (area between head and tail) must be at least 3.5". Whelk season is October 1-March 30. Whelk must be larger than 2.5" and take is limited to 1 gallon per person per day. Conch season is October 1- June 30. Conch must be 9" long and take is limited to two per person per day."
--Islander
Thanks everyone for your input. I am fairly confident that I will find some bugs but I just want to make sure I am in the right area. I know in the Keys, the protected areas are marked by buoys such as in Looe Key. Are the protected areas marked? If not how do you know whether you are in the right area? I do remember reading that you can lobster in the national Parks in the USVI as long as they are at least 3.5", not female(s) bearing eggs, and only 2 per person per day. Do you need a fishing license/crawfish stamp to lobster there? Thanks again for the info, it is greatly appreciated!
Jason
Hello Jason,
You don't need a license to fish for personal eating or for recreation (using hand lines, troll lines, cast nets, snares or spears).
You do need a commercial license to fish with traps, to set-nets or seines.
--Islander
