Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will be distributing the remaining safety equipment kits for commercial and recreational fishers during the month of May 2024.
Fishers in the St. Croix district can call 340-773-1082 to make an appointment to pick up their safety kit if they have not already done so. Fishers in the St. Thomas – St. John district can pick up their safety kit on Fridays from 9am-12pm at the DFW Office in Red Hook.
“As the effects of COVID-19 continue to increase in the states, we want our local fishers to be equipped to interact safely with the customers and the general public in the event of a surge of cases in the territory,” Oriol said.
This wave of safety kit distribution follows the distribution of kits to registered and licensed commercial fishers earlier this year in the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts.
All fishers or persons in the fishing industry are invited to pick up a safety kit while supplies last. Each package includes 2×4’s, plexiglass, masks, gloves, a life vest, first aid kit, and whistles.
Supplies are a result of a federal CARES Act 2.0 disaster grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) associated with the COVID-19 pandemic to provide direct assistance to participants in the fishing industry, including licensed and registered commercial and charter fishers, as well as fishing-dependent businesses.
For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife in St. Thomas at 340-775-6762 or 340-773-1082 in St. Croix.
