guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to the first two of a possible 46 charges levelled against them.

Andrew Daniel Farias, 34, -- the son of ex-Government Marine Resources Board chairman and one-time PLP candidate Danny Farias -- along with 40-year-old Michael David Barnes and 43-year-old Michael Stephen Joel were arrested on March 23 in an early morning swoop by Marine Police.

Their fishing vessel Lone Star was also seized in the raid.

Yesterday the three men pleaded not guilty to one count of possessing illegal fishing gear and one count of using illegal fishing gear on January 10.

But defence lawyer Mark Diel asked that the remaining 40-plus charges be amended or struck out because they appeared "duplicitous'' since some were identical.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told Crown counsel Larry Mussenden that the charges must be drafted in a more detailed manner -- with information such as time, date and location included with each charge.

Mr. Warner adjourned the matter until 10 a.m. today.

Arrested: Fishermen Michael Barnes (right) and Andrew Farias after being arrested by Police on March 23.

FISHERMEN FHP