Eating a rockfish for dinner can be an expensive meal, a St. George's man found out.

Sergio Crane, 36, of Khyber Pass, pleaded guilty to being in possession of two black rockfish within the Island's territorial waters, on his boat.

Crown Counsel Graveney Bannister told Magistrates' Court that on October 20, 2006, officers from the Department of Fisheries found Crane fishing off the East End.

After authorities grew suspicious, they searched his boat, Sylvia, and discovered one rockfish on his deck and another inside his cabin.

The fish were then seized and photographed for analysis.

Under Bermuda law, it is illegal to take more than one rockfish per 24-hour period.

Crane told the court: "I had the second fish in my possession for supper, not for sale."

"That's an expensive supper," replied Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo, before fining him $1,000 with 100 days default.

Mr. Tokunbo advised Crane, the next time he is hungry for more than one rockfish, he must wait 24-hours.