Office of the Commissioner 
 
 
GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES 
--------0-------- 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 
            4611 Tutu Park Mall  
 
              45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted 
            Suite 300, 2nd Floor 
                                       St. Croix, VI 00840 
            St. Thomas, VI  00802                                                       (340) 773-1082 
            (340) 774-3320   
 
                                                    dpnr.vi.gov 
  CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator  
Jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov  
  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
  
Thursday, April 25, 2024  
  
DPNR TO PROVIDE FREE ICE FOR   
COMMERCIAL PORT SAMPLING PROGRAM  
  
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources 
announces that the Division of Fish and Wildlife is now able to provide ice to commercial 
fishers in both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts when conducting port 
samples.   
  
Commissioner Oriol thanks the commercial fishing community for their patience in 
awaiting this much anticipated need that is essential for a productive port sampling 
program.    
  
The Division reminds all commercial fishers, as a stipulation of their commercial fishing 
license, that they must complete one (1) port sample per quarter, for a total of four (4) 
port samples for the fishing year. If you have not completed any of your port samples, 
please contact the Division or the Port Sampler in your district to do so. A 24-hour notice 
is required when making an appointment for a port sample.   
  
For more information or questions, please contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 
DFWelectronic@usvi.onmicrosoft.com or 340-773-1082 (STX Office) or 340-775-6762 
(STT Office).