when they were caught fishing in protected waters.

Antonio Cabral, 44, Manuel Campos, 34, and Carlos Auaujo, 27, were spotted fishing from a boat southwest of Bermuda, in July.

Prosecuting, Crown Counsel Mr. Mark Pettingill said a warden had watched the men for three hours. He was later joined by another warden and they continued surveillance for 45 minutes.

During this time the men caught a number of fish. As they started to move away they were stopped by the wardens.

Cabral was fined $100 for his part in the crime in September before leaving to return to his native Portugal.

Gardeners Campos and Auaujo were tried yesterday in Magistrates' Court. Their lawyer, Mr. Max Quin said: "The gentlemen are Portuguese and their English is somewhat defective. They were unaware that they were in breach of the law.

They want to apologise.'' The Wor. John Judge asked Mr. Quin if the men were fishing recreationally or with a view to selling the fish. Mr. Quin said it was purely recreational.

Mr. Judge also asked for the fish to be produced in court, but Mr. Pettingill said that although they were in the court building he had no idea where.

The men were fined $100 each. Mr. Judge said: "It would not be fair to treat these men any differently from their companion.''