It appears to me that they are taking the regulations and skewing them in an effort to collect more permits and fees. The actual regulations don't actually define what is considered a "Fishing Vessel". I would think that the intent would be (and apparently has been till now) that a "Fishing Vessel" would mean a boat that is specifically and intentionally in BVI waters for the purpose of fishing. I would not think this pertains to all the charter boats.

I can certainly understand their desire to "tax" both foreign and local fishing boats where their primary purpose in BVI waters to fish including sport and commercial fishing boats but I think they are stretching what the regs intended.

Here is the link to the actual regulations. The fees for the boat and individual licenses are at in "Schedule 3 Fees".

http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/bvi140127.pdf