USVI Permit Information

Division of Fish and Wildlife Department of Planning and Natural Resources

Government of the Virgin Islands

The Endangered and Indigenous Species Act of 1990 assigns the Division of Fish and Wildlife authority for the permitting of the Territories natural resources. Section 105 of the Act deals with prohibited activities. Specifically:

Section 105(a) prohibits the collection or possession of any indigenous species, without a permit.
Section 105(b) requires that Federal permits be required for Federally listed species as well as Territorial permits.
Section 105(c&e) prohibits the transport or export or sale of any Federally or Territorially listed species, or parts from a listed species.
Section 105(d) prohibits the import or introduction of any species that is not indigenous to the territory without a permit.
Section 105(f) specifically prohibits the disturbance, damage or even pruning of mangroves without a permit.
Section 105(g) prohibits damaging the nest of any indigenous or endangered species.

Permits issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife include:

Import permits* - All non-native animals and plants must have import permits
Export permits - All native animals and plants must have export permits
Indigenous Species - All collections of native animals (birds, bats and fish)
Research - All research and monitoring projects in the Territory
Pruning Trees* - All native trees need a permit to be pruned
Mangroves - Any mangrove pruning or transplanting projects
Corals - Any coral relocation, collection or restoration projects
Island Visitation - To visit any non-private offshore cay
Exotic Species - Retention of all non-native species (excepting dogs, cats, and agricultural animals)

Anyone importing a non indigenous species also requires a permit from the Department of Agriculture, all import permits must originate with the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture will complete their portion and forward it to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Please plan on 4 weeks to process the import permits. Import permit forms can be found here.

Indigenous/native animals and plants or parts are required to have permits to be exported from the territory. This includes any samples collected from Federally controlled areas (Refuges, Monuments, Parks). Persons interested in conducting research in the USVI should contact the Endangered Species Coordinator for more information.

In 2004 the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture became concerned about the increase in the numbers of undocumented and sick animals entering the USVI. A letter was drafted for the carriers and owners of the animals being imported. A copy of this letter is available here.

Tree trimming and pruning is also covered by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife. All trees to be pruned or removed are required to have a permit from the Territorial Forester. Any native tree also needs a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. To conduct any work with Mangroves requires a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Permit forms are available from either Department.

Many people seek to acquire a native animal as a pet must have an indigenous species retention permit. These permit application forms are available at our office's or from here.