Amidst a public outcry over the recent arrest of three local fishermen, the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has reviewed and considered an amendment to the Virgin Islands Fisheries Act, 1997 to remove the ‘blanket’ ban on spearguns. Photo: Aquatic Apes

The Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Hon Karl Dawson, told our News Centre that the matters must be brought to the House of Assembly and passed as legislation. Photo: GIS/File

Well-known local fishermen Albert Stoutt and his sons Andrew and Zacchari were on Friday, March 20, 2026, arrested and charged with two counts of using a prohibited method of fishing. Photo: VINO/File

The Virgin Islands Fisheries Act, 1997, section 50 (1) states, “Subject to section 35 (2), no person shall use any speargun, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving equipment, explosive, poison or other noxious substance for fishing in the fishery waters". 

This Act makes scuba diving and spearfishing for marine animals such as turtles, whelks, conchs, lobsters or any other marine species and products prohibited. 

Licensing regime for spearfishing

Cabinet, when it met on April 15, 2026, also greenlighted a proposal to introduce a licensing regime for spearfishing.

The Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Hon Karl Dawson, told our News Centre that the matters must be brought to the House of Assembly and passed as legislation.

“The legislation has to be drafted before it can be resubmitted to Cabinet and sent to the House. I cannot say how long, but we consider it a matter of urgency,” Hon Dawson stated.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by His Excellency, Governor Daniel Pruce.

According to the Post Meeting Statement of Cabinet, all Members were present, with the exception of the Minister for Communications and Works and the Attorney General, who were absent on official duty. The Chief Parliamentary Council attended the meeting on behalf of the Attorney General.

‘Unjust & unreasonable piece of law’

Well-known local fishermen Albert Stoutt and his sons Andrew and Zacchari were on Friday, March 20, 2026, arrested and charged with two counts of using a prohibited method of fishing.

The arrest of the Stoutts has upset many in the community, some of whom expressed their disapproval of the Stoutts’ arrest, the blanket ban on spearfishing, and the use of scuba diving equipment for fishing.

During his Honestly Speaking programme on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Claude O. Skelton-Cline questioned the fairness of the justice system, asking: “Should we be enforcing an unjust and unreasonable piece of law against our own people?”

The social commentator emphasised that these individuals are simply trying to make a living and pointed out that certain laws are simply unfair and do not make sense.

According to reports, the Stoutts were allegedly diving for ghost traps in the waters off Great Thatch when they were approached by Marine Police. They were granted station bail of $1,500 each and are scheduled to appear in the Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Thursday, May 7, 2026.