Definitions

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  • For the purpose of this chapter and unless the context otherwise requires:
    • (a) “Animal life” means any member of any non-domesticated species of the animal kingdom, whether reared in captivity or not, and includes all species occurring within the jurisdiction of the United States Virgin Islands, whether mammal, fish, bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, coelentrate or other invertebrate, and includes any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, or the carcass or parts thereof.

    • (b) “Aquarium fish” means any species of freshwater or marine life including, in addition to vertebrates and invertebrates, all species of freshwater and marine plant life, and all corals, whether living or dead, captured or taken for the purpose of display.

    • (c) “Commission” means the Endangered Species Preservation Commission as created by section 103 of this chapter.

    • (d) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources.

    • (e) “Endangered species” means any species of animal life or plants which have been listed by the Federal or Territorial governments as “endangered”.

    • (f) “Exotic species” means any foreign or introduced species.

    • (g) “Feral species” means domestic animals which have reverted to a wild state. The only birds which might be included in this definition are poultry.

    • (h) “Fish or wildlife” means any member of the animal kingdom, including without limitation, any mammal, fish, bird (including any migratory, nonmigratory, or endangered bird for which protection is also afforded by treaty or other international agreement), amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod or other invertebrate, and includes any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, or the dead body or parts thereof.

    • (i) “Indigenous species” means any species of animal life, including migratory animals arriving in the United States Virgin Islands as part of their normal migration, but does not include certain vermin or feral species. The definition also includes all plants occurring and living naturally in the United States Virgin Islands.

    • (j) “Live rock” means any piece of coral (dead or alive), substrate or other material to which is attached, or which supports, any marine life form of any kind whatsoever.

    • (k) “Mangrove” means any of three species of woody plants known as “red mangrove” (Rhizophora mangle), “black mangrove” (Avicennia germinans), and “white mangrove” (Laguncularia racemosa).

    • (l) “Plant” means any freshwater, marine or terrestrial plant and alga, including seeds, roots, and other parts thereof.

    • (m) “Threatened species” means any species of animal life or plants which have been listed by the Federal or Territorial governments as “threatened”.

    • (n) “Vermin” means certain species of animal life inherently destructive to homes, livestock or crops, and which may be capable of carrying diseases harmful to man. For the purpose of this chapter, these species are: house mouse (Mus musculus), mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegieus), pearly-eyed thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) and roof (black) rat (Rattus rattus).


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