Shellfish fans have been reminded that they must submit applications by September 7 if they want to dive for lobsters this year.

Lobster season kicks off on September 1 and about 500 divers normally apply for licences.

So far, 120 have applied, but the Environment Ministry wants to prevent the usual late rush of applications.

Licences cost $110 each and are restricted to free divers, not scuba divers.

Licence holders are restricted to two lobsters each day, which they cannot sell, and they must use a noose, not a spear.

Declining stocks of spiny lobsters have forced Government to drastically reduce the number of commercial licences from 27 in 2000 to 18 this year.

These licences cost $1,500 each and include Government-supplied traps.

This year there will be a maximum of 270 commercial traps.

Environment Minister Terry Lister warned the courts would clamp down hard on commercial fishermen who use illegal fish pots, tamper with licensed traps, or carry out illegal lobster sales.

"It is time that the fishermen take greater responsibility for the stewardship of the marine resource and work together with Government to ensure long-term sustainability," said Mr. Lister.

"No-one is better placed to effectively police the lobster fishery than the fishermen themselves."