I'm aware that you need to not only get a $45 fishing license for yourself but also for the boat. Hearing that Sunsail/Moorings have not licensed their boats. My brother owns a Sunsail boat so figure we have the right to license his boat but can't find any information on how much that costs. Anyone know? It's not on the form.

Having just been through this your going to find it frustrating. It's 110.00 for the license. It's not valid unless you paint the letters on your boat and a flag that can be read from the air. I don't know a single boat that has done this but it is the rule. Don't use the local boat form since it's based on where the boat is registered. Don't use the Foreign Vessel over 25 foot form because we'll just because. Use the form 6 Foreign Vessel form. In addition even though it repeats exactly the same information you will have to fill out a Vessel discription form. They also want pictures of the boat and the fishing gear as well as a copy of the registration. You will also need the model number of the installed engines. Once you get the license you will be given a bunch of forms where you have to report each fish caught and the location. They provide you a convenient grid map of the BVI for reporting location. Make sure the forms are onboard while fishing
To send all this information you will need to scan the forms into a PDF format. They no longer accept faxes. Their software can't read the PDF's if you bundle more then about 4 pages so break it up into 2 or 3 parts. Good luck!
G

Gonna have to catch one hell of a fish to be worth all that bs!

I sent you a pm with the info I received.

And of course... there are a few stories of uninformed souls, being caught offside - no licence, and not even seriously fishing, except out of boredom

If memory serves - a year or two, or three ago, didn't a US fellow spend a few nites, courtesy, and pay a silly fine - or get threatened with one?

I'm surprised they don't require a blood pressure and blood type test <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I think we can probably agree that fishing licenses in the BVI is all about the money. Given this it's hard to understand how the current regulation helps the BVI govt earn revenue. I can only think of two possible scenarios - either they're just out to lunch or fines are a higher revenue source than the licenses.

As a boat owner I would gladly jump through a couple of hoops and pay a couple hundred dollars to license the boat. Then any charter guest I had could pay for their personal license to be legal. I think most people want to be legal and will pay whatever reasonable fee is necessary.

Seems what is needed is a "charter boat" fishing license, i.e., a license for a boat in charter service. And make that some reasonable fee and cut all the BS concerning letters, photos, documentation of catch, size/make of engines, etc. etc. which a "real" fishing boat evidently has to abide by. Seems this would make everyone happy - the govt would have higher revenue and the charter guests could do a little fishing - for a fee - off the back of the boat. If it was a reasonable fee/process to license the boat I would guess the entire charter fleet would all get the annual license - competition is good that way. That's a bunch of boats and a non-trivial amount of money. Couple this with the ability for the charter companies to sell a fishing license at time of charter and you've removed the barriers entirely. For a cash strapped govt you would think someone would figure it out.

They confiscate the boat and the fines are in the tens of thousands.
To top it off you have to hire a local lawyer with a 20 thousand dollar retainer fee

agrimsrud - your point(s) are valid

Keep in mind, the "Officialdom" is somewhat about JOBS.
And the jobs, are for the Belongers,
A good portion of who, work in Government

So... if you make it as simple as "Buy this permit at the Customs window"... The government will obviously get a few extra dollars - But you ruin the opportunity to create a few desk jobs, perhaps a few Field-Inspector jobs, etc - keeping people feeling good about themselves.

The cash is good to Gov't, but that would be spent fast enough anywhere, everywhere... Whereas creating a few jobs, keeps everyone out of trouble, and keeps the pressure on the Nation's treasury - in that they must budget and make payroll

As for the hoops and loops... well... this IS a British territory.....always has been all about "Officialdom" (btw - is that a real word????)

Now - the true fun - would be to see some young local person - take up an entrepreneurial stand - and provide a service to take this nuisance off you hands
With that - everyone would be happy -- and the tourist pays just a little more...

... just my simple 2 cents

Im pretty sure
Voyage has licensed all their boats, and I just read in Cruising World that Moorings has licensed theirs.

The boat we are chartering from Conch Charters is licensed. Not sure if it includes their entire fleet.

Getting the license was rather easy, I filled out the forms and sent it along with copies of each applicants passport. They did come back and asked me this:

"In addition, the vessel must be registered as a fishing vessel in order for you to purchase a fishing licence and be able to fish off that vessel. Please find out from your charter company/vessel owner if they have registered the vessel that you will be on. If they are registered, please indicate the name of the owner/company on the application form. "

I sent this to Conch and within minutes they sent me the name and a number to submit to the government.

I had the license the next day.

well that's encouraging, seems like they wanted to make as difficult as possibly to fish. You can always sail over the south drop in USVI waters, no license necessary.

caribbeangirl13, I sent you another pm

This thread makes me sad. I have been chartering other places than BVI latley and now going back it's red tape everywhere. In the past I simply bought a license. Sure, it was a minor PITA but it could be accomplished. Now I need to make sure the boat is good, as well as additional legwork to get the personal license? New forms, etc.
All this for a simple hand line that usually catches little to nothing, other than some entertainment value.
I just assumed it was another excuse for tax money, as I have never seen anybody ask for documentation.

Are locals exempt? Last fall I visited the fishermen's harbor at Carrot Bay several times looking for a decent fish to cook. I did not see any numbers on any of the boats nor any indication of any paperwork.

Good Evening,
If you are not interested in applying for the permit, Island Surf and Sail (Sponsors) can take care of the process for you. You can get the information at www.bviwatertoys.com/fishing-tortola-bvi/ We can also take care of all your fishing gear rental needs. Please email with any inquiries.

Island Surf and Sail is the BEST for everything rentable....they carry frozen Ballyhoo bait as well....Capt. Jim <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />