regulations that licensed lobster divers must follow.

Mr. Pearman stressed that the season, which started on Monday and runs through March 31, 1998, was open only to those divers who obtained a legal licence.

Such divers, he said, were obliged to comply with a lengthy list of guidelines, ranging from size requirements to permissible diving areas. thee include: The minimum length of a caught lobster can be no less than three and five-eighths inches (92 mm). A lobster is lawfully measured from the base of its horns, known as the ridge, to the end of its back shell or carapace, located at the base of its tail.

Divers are allowed to take two lobsters of regulatory size per day by means of a noose and free-diving.

The use of scuba equipment or similar diving gear which enables underwater breathing, spears, harpoons, staffs, grains and other devices are all strictly forbidden.

Also, under no circumstances, may a diver sell, trade or barter lobsters, nor may he wring the tails off at sea.

Divers must also carry measuring instruments and legal licences at all times.

Recreational lobster diving in any harbour, bay, inlet, creek, sound or protected area is prohibited.

Mr. Pearman said areas south of South Channel on North Shore -- between Commissioner's Point, Sandys Parish and St. Catherine's Point, St. George's -- were regarded as illegal areas and were subsequently closed to lobster diving.

As was the case last year, two areas were to be again closed to lobster divers later in the season: The Western Area, located between Chub Head beacon and Hogfish beacon, and the Eastern Area, between North East beacon and St. David's Lighthouse, will be closed for lobster diving as of December 1 to allow licensed commercial fishermen access to inshore fishing.

In order to help divers remember the various rules and regulations, Mr.

Pearman has introduced a laminated document exclusive to licensed lobster divers.

GOVERNMENT GVT