############################### filename: s4pt7_siteManagementStatus_43sites.csv date: 2026-07-06 02:02:08.223898 description: Here are applying the management names manually applied to VIRRS sites using the USA Dataset of marine managed areas at https://navigatormap.org/data-request/ and https://services9.arcgis.com/lm7wE8a9YA9rKfzy/arcgis/rest/services/ps_mpa_usa_083018_attributes_text_final_2/FeatureServer . I opened these data in the online map viewer, imported the VIRRS study sites and manually assigned each on the managed area that they overlap. Here are adding the full managed areas information to the sites for further categorization, for example by Level of Fishing protection, similar to fishing gear restrictions used by @gove2023 . ############################### column names: program site lat lon managedAreaName website managingAuthority levelOfGovernment designation categories yearEstablished purpose restrictions allowed regulationName regulationWebsite latestUpdates protectionFocus speciesOfConcern levelFishingProtection LFP column: program description: monitoring program Data Type: character Unique Values: TCRMP VINPS CSUN column: site description: survey site Data Type: character Unique Values: Black Point Botany Bay Brewers Bay Buck Island STT Buck Island STX BUIS-South Fore Reef BUIS-Western Spur and Groove Cane Bay Castle Coculus Rock College Shoal East Eagle Ray Fish Bay Flat Cay Grammanik Tiger FSA Great Pond Hind Bank East FSA Jacks Bay Kings Corner Lang Bank Red Hind FSA Magens Bay Meri Shoal Mutton Snapper FSA Salt River West Savana Seahorse Cottage Shoal South Capella South Water Sprat Hole St James VIIS-Haulover VIIS-Mennebeck VIIS-Newfound VIIS-Tektite VIIS-Yawzi Yawzi Tektite Cabritte Horn East Tektite Europa Bay Neptunes Table West Little Lameshur White Point column: lat description: latitude Data Type: numeric Mean: 18.1374870351163 Min: 17.6366 Max: 18.37425 column: lon description: longitude Data Type: numeric Mean: -64.7950351409302 Min: -65.08205 Max: -64.44962964 column: managedAreaName description: name of managed area Data Type: character Unique Values: 3 NM VI Boundary Botany Bay Area of Particular Concern Buck Island Reef National Monument St. Croix Coral Reef Area of Particular Concern St. Croix East End Marine Park - Recreational Zone St. Thomas East End Reserves Hind Bank Marine Conservation District Grammanik Bank Great Pond Area of Particular Concern St. Croix East End Marine Park - Wildlife Preserve Zone Sandy Point Area of Particular Concern Red Hind Spawning Aggregation Area East of St. Croix Magens Bay Area of Particular Concern St Thomas / St John Management Area Mutton Snapper Spawning Aggregation Area Salt River Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary Mangrove Lagoon Area of Particular Concern St. Thomas Harbor Area of Particular Concern Vessup Bay Area of Particular Concern Virgin Islands National Park column: website description: website to managed area Data Type: character Unique Values: MPA Website|http://www.digmeonline.com/news-detail/wildlife-and-fishing-permit-information-50 https://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/habitat_assessment/usvi.pdf MPA Website|https://www.nps.gov/buis https://www.coralreef.gov/meeting14/usvi.pdf MPA Website|https://www.reefconnect.org/marine-protected-areas/st-thomas-east-end-reserves/ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/map/hind-bank-marine-conservation-district-mcd-reef-fish-fishery-management-area-map-gis https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/documents/pdfs/2015/fb15-004_caribb_grouper_and_grammanik_bank_seasonal_closure_reminder.pdf MPA Website|https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/map/red-hind-spawning-aggregation-east-st-croix-reef-fish-fishery-management-area-map-gis https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/maps_gis_data/fisheries/caribbean/images/island_group_management_areas.pdf MPA Website|https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/documents/pdfs/2014/fb14-010_mutton_snapper_spawning_agg_seasonal_closure.pdf MPA Website|https://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/habitat_assessment/usvi.pdf MPA Website|http://www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm column: managingAuthority description: managing authority Data Type: character Unique Values: Virgin Islands Department Of Planning and Natural Resources National Park Service NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Virgin Islands Department Of Planning and Natural Resources; National Park Service column: levelOfGovernment description: level of government that oversees managed area Data Type: character Unique Values: Territorial Federal Partnership column: designation description: designation Data Type: character Unique Values: Jurisdictional Authority Area of Particular Concern National Monument Marine Park Reserve Marine Conservation District Closure Spawning Aggregation Area Management Area Marine Reserve National Park column: categories description: categories Data Type: character Unique Values: Jurisdictional Authority Area Not Yet Coded IUCN MPA Recreational Area Fisheries Management Area column: yearEstablished description: year established Data Type: integer Mean: 1968.33333333333 Min: 1956 Max: 2011 column: purpose description: purpose Data Type: character Unique Values: Designate the shore to the 3 nautical mile boundary in which US Virgin Ilsands regulations apply. This area protects mountains, forests, beaches, ocean cliffs, and open grazing lands, many areas of which are of natural, cultural, geological, recreational, and scenic importance. The Botany Bay APC is also a significant nesting area for Brown Boobies and Red-billed Tropicbirds. Buck Island Reef National Monument is most notable for its coral reef ecosystem and the small tropical island that it encircles. The Monument supports a large variety of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, including endangered and threatened species. Its biological diversity and complexity affords outstanding opportunities for approved recreational activities, public education, and scientific research. Buck Island’s elkhorn-coral barrier reef is unique within U.S. waters. The Monument is host to several Threatened and Endangered species, and contains significant evidence of human use on land and in the water over thousands of years. This area protects a diverse reef ecosystem, with 3 species of fire corals and 34 species of hard corals. It also supports sea turtles, the St. Croix Ground Lizard, and a variety of birds. To protect territorially significant marine resources, promote sustainability of marine ecosystems including coral reefs, sea grass beds, wildlife habitats and other resources and to conserve and preserve significant natural areas for the use and benefit of future generations. To preserve and protect vulnerable habitat and marine life, including threatened and endangered species of Sea Turtle. To conserve and protect valuable coral reef resources, reef fish stocks,, especially vulnerable species like red, black, tiger, yellowfin, and yellowedge grouper, and their habitats. To preserve and protect marine habitat and species at Grammanik bank, especially vulnerable species like red, black, tiger, yellowfin, and yellowedge grouper. This area protects the second largest salt pond in the Virgin Islands, which features black Mangroves rimming most of the pond. This area protects the West End Salt Pond, a 3-mile-long nesting beach for sea turtles primarily Leatherback Sea turtles), 99 species of birds, 5 federally listed endangered species, 12 locally listed endangered species, and prehistoric sites. To provide protection for red hind spawning aggregations and large snappers and groupers, and to better protect the essential fish habitat where these species reside. This area proectes primary archaelogical sites, several types of forest, fish nursery habitats, and 8 endangered species. To manage take of numerous Caribbean fish species. To protect, conserve and manage fish, wildlife, plants, endangered or threatened species and Salt River Bay habitats for the ultimate benefit of the people of the United States, now and in the future and thereby ensure the integrity, health and continued availability of the ecological, historical, recreational, scientific, educational and aesthetic resources and qualities of this significant area of the marine environment, and to maintain, restore and enhance living resources by providing places for species that depend on this marine area for survival and propagation. This area protects mangrove forests, 495 species of flora and fauna, 100 species of shorebirds, humpback whales, prehistoric sites and serves as an overwintering site for 20 species of migratory birds. This area is home to several endangered species, among them: manatee, Humback whale, and the Red-Billed tropicbird. To address an intense concentration of boating activity, particularly as it relates to three species of endangered sea turtles (Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback) found in the area. To preserve and protect Virgin Islands National Park’s diverse beaches, coral reefs, and historic ruins. This site has seven species of endangered coral, for more information, see here. column: restrictions description: restrictions Data Type: character Unique Values: In addition to the specific restrictions listed within each MPA, closure, or restricted area, take restrictions apply territorywide to protect certain species. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take, catch, or attempt to catch, possess, molest, injure, kill, feed, harass, or do any other activity, including any act of pursuit, torment, or interaction, that causes disruption of behavioral patterns or otherwise interferes with the normal activity or well-being of any marine turtles, marine mammals, or any threatened or endangered species. Restrictions on bag, possession, trip, and size limits as well quotas, open/closed seasons, licensing restriction, and gear requirements for all species apply. Following is a non-exhaustive list of fishing restrictions that apply throughout territorial waters:
- Sea Turtles are endangered species. Harvest, possession and harassment of sea turtles or their eggs is prohibited;
- Goliath Grouper (Jewfish) is an endangered species. Harvest is prohibited;
- The possession of Nassau grouper is prohibited;
- Spear fishing for lobsters is prohibited;
- To retain, remove, possess, or injure any conch that is less than nine inches in length from the spire to the distal end, or that has a lip thickness that is less than 3/8 inch is prohibited;
- Taking conch to off shore cays and islands for purpose of removing from shell is prohibited;
- The use of all gill and trammel nets, single or multiple wall entanglement nets, are prohibited in the territory, with the exception of single-wall surface gillnets for the baitfish ballyhoo (Family Hemiramphidae), gar (Family Belonidae) and flyingfish (Family Exocoetidae);
8) Surface gillnets must be tended at all times, may not be more that 1,800 ft in length, as measured by the float line, and may not be used within 20 ft from the bottom. Mesh size may not be smaller than 3/4 inch square or 1.5 inch stretch. Only one 1,800-ft bait net is permitted per boat. Restricted gill and trammel nets may not be possessed onboard vessels in territorial waters;
- The closed season for whelk begins April 1 and ends September 30;
- The closed season for conch begins July 1 and ends September 30;
- The possession of the following species of fish is prohibited during the time periods set forth below:
(a) The possession of red grouper, tiger grouper, yellowedge grouper, black grouper, and yellowfin grouper is prohibited from February 1st through April 30th of each year in the territory.
(b) The possession of black, blackfin, vermillion and silk snapper is prohibited from October 1st to December 31st of each year in St. Thomas/St. John District.
(c) The possession of mutton snapper is prohibited from April 1st to June 30th of each year in the territory.
(d) The possession of lane snapper is prohibited from April 1st to June 30th of each year in the territory.
(e) The possession of Nassau grouper is prohibited year round in the territory until the CFMC has determined that it has recovered.
(f) The filleting of fish in Federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean is prohibited and it is required that fish captured or possessed in territorial waters be landed with heads and fins intact.
(g) Restrict tarpon and bonefish fishing to catch and release using hook and line only. No take of tarpon or bonefish is allowed. Currently, no restrictions exist for this area. 1. All extractive uses are prohibited, including but not limited to take or collection (on the land or in the water) of fish for any use, marine mammals, coastal migratory pelagic fish, baitfish, lobsters, conch, whelk, hermit crabs (soldier crabs), seashells, corals, dead coral, sea fans, sponges and all associated reef invertebrates, plants, fruits and seeds, firewood, driftwood, rocks, sand, gas, oil, and minerals. All forms of fishing are prohibited including, but not limited to, spearfishing, rod and reel, hand-line, nets, gill or trammel, traps or pots, snares, hooks, poison, cast nets, trawl, seine, and long-line. The use or possession of any type of fishing equipment or any of the below-listed items of this section is prohibited within the boundaries of the Monument.
2. No dredging, excavating or filling operations of any kind are permitted, and no equipment, structures, byproducts or excavated materials associated with such operations may be deposited in or on the waters or ashore within the boundaries of the Monument.
3. No person shall destroy molest, remove, deface, displace or tamper with wrecked or abandoned waterborne craft of any type or condition, or any cargo pertaining thereto, unless permitted in writing by an authorized official of the National Park Service.
4. No watercraft shall operate in such a manner, nor shall anchors or any other mooring device be cast or dragged or placed, so as to strike or otherwise cause damage to any underwater features. Anchoring or maneuvering watercraft within the waters that contain underwater marked swimming trails and interpretive signs is prohibited. Anchoring is prohibited except by permit issued by the Superintendent for deep sand bottom areas or for administrative purposes. Traditional fishing methods are prohibited, with exceptions. Commercial and Recreational Fishing are restricted.

The following is prohibited:
1) Take, possession and harassment of sea turtles or their eggs is prohibited;
2) Take of Goliath Grouper is prohibited;
3) The possession of Nassau grouper is prohibited;
4) Spear fishing for lobsters is prohibited;
5) To retain, remove, possess, or injure any conch that is less than nine inches in length from the spire to the distal end, or that has a lip thickness that is less than 3/8 inch is prohibited;
6) Taking conch to off shore cays and islands for purpose of removing from shell is prohibited. 1. Fishing for any species is prohibited.
2. Anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited. 1. From February 1 through April 30 no person may fish for or possess any species of fish, except highly migratory species.
2. Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round. If bottom longline gear is onboard a vessel in this area, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear. 1. Certain marine portions of the Wildlife Preserve Zone may be designated as "idle speed only/ no-wake," "no-motor" or "no-access buffer" areas or "closed". Signs will be posted conspicuously.
2. The following activities are prohibited in this area:
a) Operating a vessel at a speed greater than idle speed only/no wake in those marine portions of the Wildlife Preserve Zone designated as an "idle speed only/no wake" area;
b) Using an internal combustion motor or engine in those marine portions of the Wildlife Preserve Zone designated as a "no-motor" area. Persons may access a "no-motor" area only through the use of a push pole, paddle, sail, electric motor or similar means of propulsion;
c) Entering by vessel those marine portions of the Wildlife Preserve Zone designated as a "no-access buffer" area;
d) Using gill or trammel nets. 1. Fishing is prohibited from December 1 through the last day of February, each year.
2. Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round. If bottom longline gear is onboard a vessel in this area, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear. If landings from a Caribbean island management area, except for landings of queen conch or landings from the Caribbean EEZ for tilefish and aquarium trade species, are estimated to have exceeded the applicable annual catch limit, the following fishing season may be reduced. Size limits apply, please see regulations for more details. 1. Fishing is prohibited from March 1 through June 30, each year.
2. Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round. If bottom longline gear is onboard a vessel in this area, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear. The following is prohibited:
1. To collect, take or possess any fish, coral, bird or other wildlife, or part thereof.
2. To use or possess any firearm, bow and arrow, spear gun or any trap, net or other contrivance designed to be, or capable of being used to take birds, fish or other wildlife, with exceptions, or to discharge any firearm or release any arrow into the sanctuary.
3. To throw, place or deposit any waste into the sanctuary.
4. To collect, take, possess or harmfully disturb any plant, soil, rock or other material, either marine or terrestrial.
5. To destroy, injure or harmfully disturb any sanctuary animal, either marine or terrestrial.
6. To feed any sanctuary animal, either marine or terrestrial.
7. To dredge, fill, excavate or otherwise alter the seabed or shoreline of the sanctuary, or construct, place or abandon any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the sanctuary.
8. To use any "Personal Watercraft" or 'Thrillcraft" within the sanctuary.
9. To discharge, release or deposit any material or substance of any kind into the sanctuary waters.
10. To excavate, remove, deface, damage or tamper with any archaeological or historical resources or possess or use metal detectors within the boundary of the sanctuary.
11. To discharge, release or deposit, from beyond the boundary of the sanctuary, any material, substance or other matter that subsequently enters the sanctuary and degrades the natural resources or other values of the sanctuary.
12. To long term anchor or moor any vessel or surface platform without obtaining a mooring permit issued by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources; to anchor or moor any surface or underwater vessel or platform outside designated anchoring or mooring areas; or to anchor during hurricanes anywhere other than in designated hurricane anchorage areas. 1. Taking of fishes or any other marine life in any way except with rod or line, the rod or line being held in the hand, is prohibited, with exceptions. The use or possession of any type of spearfishing equipment within the boundaries of the park is prohibited. All known means of taking fish, crustaceans, mollusks, turtles, or other marine life are prohibited in Trunk Bay and in other waters containing underwater signs and markers.
2. No person shall destroy, molest, remove, deface, displace or tamper with wrecked or abandoned waterborne craft of any type or condition, or any cargo pertaining thereto unless permitted in writing by an authorized official of the National Park Service.
3. No watercraft shall be operated, nor shall anchors or any other mooring device be cast or dragged or placed, in such a manner as to strike or otherwise cause damage to any underwater features. Anchoring or maneuvering watercraft within the waters that contain underwater marked swimming trails and interpretive signs is prohibited. Vessels desiring to enter Trunk Bay must enter and depart between the two outer buoys delineating the prescribed anchorage area, and shall anchor within described area, and no other, making sure the vessel will lie within this area regardless of wind or sea conditions: Except, that hand-propelled craft may be used to transport passengers and equipment between the anchorage area and the beach.
4. No dredging, excavating or filling operations of any kind are permitted, and no equipment, structures, byproducts or excavated materials associated with such operations may be deposited in or on the waters or ashore within the boundaries of the Park. column: allowed description: allowed Data Type: character Unique Values: All removal of marine life must conform to local, territorial, regional and federal regulations. First, look up the region and then the species of interest. These regulations detail the license, permits and reporting required. They specify the seasons, vessel type, method of capture, gear type and bait allowed, size and catch limits (including bycatch). These guidelines are not comprehensive: users are responsible for reading the regulations, and for their own compliance with the law. Commercial fishermen need to comply with Commercial Regulations; Sport fishermen need to comply with Sportfishing regulations. Fishing in accordance with regulations may be allowed. Anchoring will be allowed in emergency situations only to protect life and property. 1. This zone provides an area for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and boating, shoreline recreational take line fishing.
2. Catch and release guide fishing and cast net bait fishing are allowed only with a valid Marine Park Permit. Gill nets used for bait fishing cannot exceed eight (8) feet in depth and a span of six hundred (600) feet. Recreational Fishing is Allowed, EXCEPT with use the following fishing gear: pots, traps, set-nets and haul seines, and does not require a license. This includes persons who engage in fishing for the sole purpose of providing food for themselves or their families and those who catch and release fish.

Commercial Fishing is Allowed in accordance with the current closures, and with a Fishing License. All take of marine life must conform to regulations regarding species allowed, size limitations, catch limits, method of capture, and seasons. Temporary closures may apply. For the latest updates, consult the U.S. Virgin Islands News Release. None. During this seasonal closure, recreational fishing for highly migratory species is allowed. The prohibition on possession does not apply to such fish taken and landed ashore prior to the closure. Other fishing may be allowed in accordance with federal and local fishing laws. Fishing in accordance with federal regulations is allowed. The use of recreational catch and release line fishing with barbless hooks is permitted. 1. Fishing by rod and reel, handline, traps, and bait fish nets, is allowed. Fish may be taken by pots or traps of conventional Virgin Islands design and not larger than five feet at the greatest dimension, and bait fish may be taken by nets of no greater overall length than 20 feet and of mesh not larger than 1 inch stretched.
2. The species of crustaceans known as Florida Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) may be taken by hand or hand-held hook, provided that no person shall take female lobsters with eggs or take more than two lobsters per person per day, or have in possession more than two days' limit.
3. Species of mollusks commonly known as whelks and conchs may be taken by hand, provided that no person shall take more than two conchs or one gallon of whelks, or both, per day, or have in possession more than two days' limit. column: regulationName description: regulation name Data Type: character Unique Values: 43 U.S.C. § 1301; Submerged Lands Act 12 V.I.C. § 901 et seq. 36 CFR § 7.73 CVIR 12-001-000 § 98-5(c) USVI Fishing Regulations 50 CFR § 622.435(b)(1) 50 CFR § 622.435(a)(2)(iii) and (b)(2); 50 CFR 635.21(d)(1)(ii) 50 CFR § 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A) and (b)(2); 50 CFR 635.21(d)(1)(ii) 50 CFR §§ 622.12, 622.436, Part 622, Appendix E 50 CFR § 622.435(a)(2)(i) and (b)(2); 50 CFR 635.21(d)(1)(ii) CVIR 12-001-000 § 96-12 36 CFR § 7.74 column: regulationWebsite description: regulation website Data Type: character Unique Values: Regulations Text|https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2008-title43/html/USCODE-2008-title43-chap29-subchapI-sec1301.htm http://www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/CZM%20-LAW-Title-12-Chapter-21.pdf Regulations Text|https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=8969a8f50e64866d9e277d0295b56b5e&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se36.1.7_173 http://www.caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/FishersBooklet%202012-JULY%20Final.pdf Regulations Text|https://www.reefconnect.org/marine-protected-areas/st-thomas-east-end-reserves/ Regulations Text|https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=646b70ae28d528a81c41cb433c620ea2&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&n=pt50.12.622&r=PART#se50.12.622_1435 50 CFR 635.21|https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=48a8f429d38f679429f4d0c0ebe62658&mc=true&node=se50.12.635_121&rgn=div8;50 CFR 622.435|https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=646b70ae28d528a81c41cb433c620ea2&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&n=pt50.12.622&r=PART#se50.12.622_1435 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f37280aa714695ee2b12d6a0aad87eba&mc=true&node=ap50.12.622_1497.e&rgn=div11 Regulations Text|http://www.caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/FishersBooklet%202012-JULY%20Final.pdf Regulations Text|http://www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/CZM%20-LAW-Title-12-Chapter-21.pdf Regulations Text|https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=7b75b4c8d2163316baf60266299cd1f6&mc=true&node=se36.1.7_174&rgn=div8 column: latestUpdates description: latest updates Data Type: character Unique Values: null For alerts, consult the Monument's Alerts & Conditions page. or call (340) 776-6201 x238, For the latest updates, consult the NOAA Fisheries Management Website. Check NOAA's Fishery Bulletins and News Room. For alerts, consult the Park's Alerts & Conditions page. or call (340) 776-6201 x238, column: protectionFocus description: protection focus Data Type: character Unique Values: Ecosystem Focal Species column: speciesOfConcern description: species of concern Data Type: character Unique Values: Multiple Leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, green sea turtle, least tern Sea turtles, St. Croix ground lizard Corals, seagrass Corals, reef fish Finfish, mollusks, crustaceans Sea turtles, leatherback turtle Red Hind, groupers Multiple, snappers, triggerfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, scups, jacks, wrasses, spiny lobster, squirrelfish goatfishes Mutton, groupers Multiple, green sea turtle, corals, queen conch Humpback whale Manatee, Humback whale, Red-Billed tropicbird Leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, green sea turtle column: levelFishingProtection description: level of fishing protection Data Type: character Unique Values: Least restrictive: No known fishing restrictions Most restrictive: Fishing is prohibited Heavily restrictive: Fishing is mostly prohibited, with few exceptions Moderately restrictive: Several species- or gear-specific restrictions apply; or either commercial fishing or recreational fishing is entirely prohibited column: LFP description: shortened level of fishing protection (LFP) for plotting Data Type: factor Unique Values: Least Restrictive Most Restrictive Heavily Restrictive Moderately Restrictive