Popular local fishermen arrested for allegedly using illegal fishing methods
![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](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_n_Natalio_14.jpg)
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 $1500 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
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46 Responses to “Popular local fishermen arrested for allegedly using illegal fishing methods”
Was there dead fish in the boat with spear wounds?
It is our ocean, too.
VI Culture. "Never mind that what they do is illegal."
Tortola is the epicenter of all the drugs that passes through to get to the US and this is on a daily basis. I don't see the Marine branch accomplishing anything in regard to this, but they can find the time to harass people who have been helping feed this community for decades.... It is also APPALLING that they call them illegal immigrants when the same said officers that harassed them isn't even born in the BVI.
They like to tell people to research information about the places you go to.......... I know if you type BVI FISHING in the internet search bar you will see the contribution these men have brought to the place.
So when are you allowed to use spear guns and scuba tanks?
I think the spear guns are very good for the fishermen, because in any event if a huge shark in his hungry state happens to be around when those guys are fishing, they could easily end all of their lives right there. As long as you are a licensed fisherman, i think you should be allowed to use a licensed spare gun for fishing, which is the main part of their tools.
The dumping of BULKY at the green dumpsters was ENFORCED by the last “ TRIKKI” director of WMD —- Our Politicians ( ALL OF THEM ) sat on their heads and allowed the PROGRESS that the contractors AND Supervisors of the Dept made to be thrown down d Ghut ///With this policy ; GARDENERS do not go to the dump anymore// just pile their garden waste at dumpsters cause THE CONTRACTORS have to pick it up /; same thing if a small man gets a job to take away construction rubble ( dem suckers DUMP that tike /concrete in the ground /// The closing the dump sites at 4:00 and weekends were also a BACKWARD step ( when ppl work Mon—Fri ; clean their property on the weekend ; what do they do with the “ stuff” IF the dump is closed ??
FOOLISHNESS in the 1st Degree
It is something these guys do but it is NOT an old BVI tradition.
Everywhere else in the world that is a big no no because divers can just clean up reefs and take every dan fish they want to make money.
but i unsure about scuba n spearing fish, seems like if they can do it, then other guys may feel the itch....
Side note. It's wrong for businesses to serve lobster, conch or any fish during an off season. Encourages the fisherman to profit by fishing during Off-season. fisherman local or visitor should respect the seasonal, and marine park rules in place to protect the beautiful BVI oceans.
Criminals from the uk?
Under the Fisheries Act, 1997 of the British Virgin Islands, the use of spearguns for fishing is strictly prohibited in BVI waters, according to the Government of the Virgin Islands and GOV.UK. It is also illegal to have spearguns on board a fishing vessel, which is considered evidence of illegal fishing.
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Key Aspects of BVI Spear Gun Laws:
Total Ban: Using spear guns, along with SCUBA gear, poison, or explosives to catch fish or marine products (like lobster/conch) is against the law.
Possession on Boats: Merely having a spear gun on a fishing vessel is presumed to be for illegal fishing unless proven otherwise.
Exceptions: There are generally no recreational, tourist, or commercial exceptions permitted for spear fishing.
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Spear fishing is classified under prohibited methods in the BVI to protect marine resources, as stated on Facebook.
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Synonyms/Related Terms of BVI Law on Spear Guns:
Prohibited Fishing Methods: Fisheries Act, 1997.
Spearfishing Prohibition: BVI Government Notice.
Marine Conservation Regulations: GOV.UK travel advice.
Illegal Fishing Gear: Caribbean Fishing Laws.
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Usage Examples:
A tourist bringing a speargun for underwater fishing will have it confiscated and may face fines, says GOV.UK.
A local fisherman using a sling or spear gun while diving faces penalties under the Fisheries Act, 1997.
Albert was one of the first locals I met on a surf trip over 35 years ago. He is the best ambassador for Tortola. I spent a lot of time listening to him explain the fisheries and his methods. One thing that stood out was to take only what you need. Leave some for tomorrow, which is unheard of in many of the world’s fisheries. I think the authorities should be more concerned with the reefs and mangroves (juvenile fish habitat) being filled in, than worrying about a man and his sons feeding people.