This project will coordinate activities directly related to the administration of federal assistance for sport fish restoration programs

This $1,601,894.00 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) will support the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife in meeting the requirements for participation in and administration of federal assistance for the U.S. Virgin Islands sport fish restoration programs. The funding will allow the Division to continue collecting and analyzing recreational fishing effort and catch data, provide public outreach and education on sport fish and aquatic resource conservation, maintain and construct boating access facilities, and introduce the public to sportfishing and aquatic resource preservation in the territory. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

This program will allow the usvi division of fish and wildlife to meet the requirements for participation in, and administration of, federal assistance for the U.S. Virgin islands sport fish restoration programs. The usvi supports a large recreational fishery with recreational fishing contributing millions of dollars annually to the local economy from usvi residents and visitors alike. Recreational sport fishing activities target a variety of fisheries, including offshore pelagics, coastal pelagics, and nearshore reef fish. Inshore game fish species are accessible from small boats in protected bays, and small boat owners can fish for pelagic game fish species due to the proximity of deep water close to shore. Recreationally important species include blue and whitemarlin, wahoo, dolphinfish (mahi-mahi), mackerel, tunas, snappers, groupers, jacks, and tarpon. The recreational fishery project allows DFW to continue to collect and analyze recreational fishing effort and catch data through paper logbooks and electronic reports for making comparisons and identifying trends related to recreational fishing in the virgin islands. Recreational fishing is a year-round activity for both residents and tourists. Given the funding structure for marine and fresh water resource management, i.e. the dingelljohnson act (d-j act), this program will introduce the public to, and encourage preservation of, the aquatic natural resources and sportfishing in the U.S. Virgin islands through the following five (5) objectives: public outreach, sport fish education, field trips, monofilament recycling, and educational materials. We will also provide government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the general public with technical information about local sport fish and their habitats. Last, we do maintenance, restoration, and new construction for boating access facilities in the territory.