Seasonal Closures



April 1 - June 30

Snappers: Lane & Mutton



April 1 - September 30



West Indian Top Snail

(Whelks)



June 1 - October 31



Queen Conch



Recreational Bag/Size Limits



Queen Conch: Minimum size limit is

either 9 inches in length from the tip

of the spire to the distal end of the

shell, or 3/8 inch lip width (thickness)

at its widest point. Harvest limited to

6 conch per day per recreational

fisher; not to exceed 24 conch per

boat per day.



Whelks (West Indian Top Snail):

Minimum size of shell must be

greater than 2 7/16 inches in

diameter.



Prohibited Harvest

Parrotfish: Midnight, Blue, Rainbow

Groupers: Goliath, Nassau



See Recreational Fishing Handbook for

further guidance.



CIGUATERA



Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is an illness

caused by consuming fish that have eaten a

marine toxin produced by the alga Gambier-

discus toxicus. The toxin tends to accumulate in

larger predatory fish such as barracuda, king

mackerel, horse-eye jack, amber jack, cubera

snapper, dog snapper, and some large groupers.



However, there is still a risk that any fish may

cause CFP. Local commercial fishers are familiar

with high risk and questionable species and do

not sell them. If you are buying fish and are

concerned about a species, ask the fisher. There

is currently no way to detect if a fish has

ciguatera prior to eating it.



Cooking the fish does not destroy the toxin.

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting,

numbness, muscle pain, and reversal of hot and

cold sensations. Symptoms may begin 6 to 24

hours after consuming a contaminated fish and

may last for days to weeks. If you suspect you

have ciguatera, go to the hospital.



Fore more information: Department of Health and Human

Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https:/www.cdc.gov/nceh/ciguatera/



Contact Us

Department of Planning and

Natural Resources



Division of Fish and Wildlife

St. Thomas St. Croix



6291 Estate Nazareth 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted

St. Croix, VI 00840



(340) 773-1082



St.Thomas, VI 00802

(340) 775-6762



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Department of Planning

& Natural Resources

Division of Fish & Wildlife



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