Fishermen are being warned they face hefty fines if they break new fishing regulations.

"People are fishing a lot these days and some of them are taking anything that bites," Director of Environmental Protection Fred Ming said.

New fishing regulations unrolled this August will start being enforced more strictly in the new year — including possible fines of up to $25,000.

Dr Ming said it was urgent for the public to get informed.

"People are turning to fishing in larger numbers as a recreational outlet. It's understandable.

"Our population density's increasing; people want to go off on the water and get some peace. There aren't gunshots being fired out there.

'The courts are not necessarily in step with the increased pressure, and the fines they levy tend to be generally very low. There's a disconnect, which is part of the problem."

The Department plans to introduce ticketing for lawbreakers, although Dr Ming admitted it was a complicated procedure to put in place.

In the meantime, senior Marine Resources Officer Tammy Trott warned that fines have increased dramatically.

"They've gone up from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000, and that covers any infraction. We're hoping to convey the message that we're serious.

"We want to see increased fines in the courts, and in fact some of these will have to be taken to court until we get ticketable offences in place."

She said that starting in January, new regulations will be strictly enforced, including:

• Bait nets being restricted to commercial fishermen;

• Cast nets for recreational fishermen limited to eight feet across;

• All fish caught at sea landed with skin intact, and regulated species landed whole;

• Tighter size restrictions for species such as Black Grouper, Hogfish and Wahoo.

The rules on landing fish will allow wardens to inspect catches brought to shore, she said.

Adding that the Department was eager to avoid a repeat of frictions caused by the fishing pot ban, Dr Trott said enforcing the law was a matter of protecting Bermuda's marine resources and ensuring sustainable use.

"By January, people will have had a few months to become conversant with the new legislation.

"We're also hoping to post signs at popular shoreside fishing spots and docks by the end of the year. There are increasing demands on our marine resources and we have to start enforcing."

Dr Ming added that "there are some characters who go out there and deliberately break the law", and some officers out on the water have been threatened by irate fishermen incensed by stricter fishing rules.

He said: "But a lot of people just find themselves in a position where they don't know. Many guest workers fish off the shoreline, for example, and use cast nets.

"They need to understand that the law has changed, and one of our challenges is getting that information out to people."

The 2010 Fisheries Regulations are available on the Department of Environmental Protection website through the Government portal www.gov.bm