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- Three family members – Albert Stoutt (69), Andrew Stoutt (32), and Zacchari Stoutt (35) – have been charged with illegal fishing in the British Virgin Islands.
- The arrests followed a March 20, 2026, operation by the RVIPF Marine Unit, which discovered spear guns and fish showing signs of spear fishing on their vessel.
- Each man faces two counts of using a prohibited method of fishing under the Fisheries Act and was granted $1,500 bail.
- The accused are scheduled to appear in Magistrate’s Court on May 7, 2026.
- The RVIPF reminds the public about prohibited fishing practices and encourages reporting of marine offences to protect marine resources.
Three men from the same family are facing charges following an alleged illegal fishing incident in the British Virgin Islands, as confirmed by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). The charges stem from an operation conducted on March 20, 2026, when officers from the Marine Unit were carrying out routine patrols within the territory's waters.
During their patrol, police observed a vessel with several occupants and proceeded to conduct checks. Upon boarding the vessel and making inquiries, officers reported discovering spear guns along with fish that displayed signs consistent with spear fishing. The occupants were identified as Albert Stoutt, 69, and Andrew Stoutt, 32, both residents of Little Apple Bay, alongside Zacchari Stoutt, 35, from Soper’s Hole.
The three men were detained at sea and subsequently transported to the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Marine Base. There, further investigations were conducted, and the vessel was processed by the police. Following the comprehensive investigation, all three individuals were formally charged with two counts each of using a prohibited method of fishing, in contravention of the Fisheries Act.
Authorities confirmed that the accused were granted bail, with each man released on a sum of $1,500. They are now scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on May 7, 2026, to answer to the charges. In addition to the arrests and charges, officers involved in the operation also seized a quantity of marine life, which has since been handed over to the relevant authorities for appropriate handling.
The RVIPF has taken the opportunity to remind the public that specific fishing practices are prohibited within the territory and urged all persons to familiarise themselves with and strictly adhere to local fishing regulations. The police further stated that enforcement efforts will continue as an integral part of ongoing measures aimed at protecting the vital marine resources of the British Virgin Islands. Members of the public are also encouraged to report any instances of illegal fishing or other marine offences, with authorities noting that such information is crucial to their efforts.