Well-known local fishermen from the western end of Tortola, Albert Stoutt (right) and his sons Andrew (left) and Zacchari (centre) were reportedly arrested and charged on Friday, March 20, 2026, for alleged illegal fishing. Photo: VINO/File

Zacchari W. Stoutt, who prides himself as a lobster catcher, previously told out News Centre that while there are efforts to lift the ban on spearfishing it is taking too long, as fishermen have mouths to feed and bills to pay. Photo: VINO/File

The arrest of the Stoutts has reportedly upset many in the community and once again raises fresh debate about spearfishing and the use of scuba diving equipment for fishing. Photo: Internet Source

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) stated in the House of Assembly (HoA) on May 2, 2024, that the [VI] Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022, supports the technique of spearfishing, but it had yet to come into force by notice published in the Gazette. Photo: GIS/File

According to reports reaching our News Centre, the Stoutts have been charged with two counts of Using a Prohibited Method of Fishing.

The Media Liaison at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Akia L. Thomas, promised since Friday to confirm the reports but has not yet done so; however, sources within the RVIPF stated the fishermen were charged for allegedly using scuba gear and a speargun for fishing, although no spearguns were allegedly recovered.

The accused were allegedly in waters off Great Thatch diving for ghost traps when they were approached by marine police.

They were granted station bail in the sum of $5000 each and are scheduled to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on May 7, 2026.

Spearfishing & scuba fishing debate

The Stoutts are considered cultural icons in Carrot Bay and are known all over the world for their likeable personality and commitment to the territory and tourism. They are often considered the first people to call for the salvaging of items and recovering bodies drowned at sea.

The 69-year-old Albert Stoutt, whose father and uncles were all fishermen, was even honoured as a fisherman at the Emancipation Celebrations in Carrot Bay on August 10, 2023.

The arrest of the Stoutts has reportedly upset many in the community and once again raises fresh debate about spearfishing and the use of scuba diving equipment for fishing.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) stated in the House of Assembly (HoA) on May 2, 2024, that the [VI] Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022, supports the technique of spearfishing, but it had yet to come into force by notice published in the Gazette.

The law, he said, had been delayed because supporting regulations are still in the drafting stages. In the meantime, Dr Wheatley said, the 1997 Fisheries Act and 2003 Fisheries Regulations prohibit harvesting fish with a spear. “However, we intend to amend the Fisheries Act and Regulations to allow the method of spearfishing before the end of this year’s third quarter,” Premier Wheatley had stated.

Dr Wheatley also said there were arguments for and against spearfishing, and that he listened carefully to all of those arguments, “and then I made a decision after consultation with various stakeholders, including the fisherpersons themselves engaged in this practice. And once that decision was made, it was included in the Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022.”

Strong community support for the Stoutts

One of the persons charged, Zachchari W. Stoutt, told our News Centre in July 2023 that the authorities have continually been making it harder for local fishermen, and that they are often ‘harassed’ at sea and that fishing equipment is often seized.

He said the fishermen are often told that there is a reduction in fish or shellfish population; however, no one consults with the local fishermen on this, but instead introduces laws that were meant for other countries with overfishing problems.

One of those laws is a ban on spearfishing. He noted that while there are efforts to lift the ban on spearfishing, it is taking too long, as fishermen have mouths to feed and bills to pay.

Zacchari also shared concerns that the authorities have been telling fishermen they cannot use scuba gear to dive for fish at certain depths, adding that they are putting fishermen at risk because they now have to free dive to where the fish are in abundance.

Our News Centre has also been told that the Stoutts have received strong support from the community, including elected officials, since their arrest.

See link to related articles: This Week We Feature Young Professional Zacchari W. Stoutt | Virgin Islands News Online

                                        Albert Stoutt is 2023 Carrot Bay Fisherman’s Day Honouree | Virgin Islands News Online