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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSAMUEL HEADS BVI TRIP ON FISHING REGULATIONS

SAMUEL HEADS BVI TRIP ON FISHING REGULATIONS

A delegation of lawmakers from the U.S. Virgin Islands will ply the waters to the British Virgin Islands Friday morning for a meeting on fishing regulations that have kept local commercial fishermen out of BVI waters for years.
The contingent of senators is being led by Sen. Norma Samuel, secretary for intergovernmental and territorial affairs, and Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Carlton Dowe. Harry Clinton of the Game Fishing Club will also attend Friday's negotiations.
Samuel said the meeting follows on the heels of recent public hearings convened by the Senate Finance Committee into the decline of the local marine industry. Samuel said that the initial public forums on the marine industry have "provided a wealth of information and we are acting upon it right away. Several measures are now being drafted to address the industry's concerns."
Pickard said the main item for discussion will be the issuance of game fishing licenses to USVI boats and those flagged in the United States. "Game fishing is a big business and a significant part of our economy," she said. "Unfortunately, the fish don't stay still or study borders."
She said there is a need to have V.I. boats get licenses in the BVI and their boats licensed in the territory.
She acknowledged that the negotiations will not be easy as the BVI is a possession of England and their rights must be respected. At the same time, Samuel said, "We are all brothers and sisters sharing from the same resources." She said she hoped a middle ground could be reached which will be satisfactory to fishermen and government leaders in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

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