amnesty for fishermen who know where illegal fish pots sit in local waters.

And outspoken fisherman Danny Farias has also thrown his weight behind Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson's announcement that Fisheries Wardens will not pursue leads on the origins of fish pots revealed to the department until August 15.

The one-month period is effectively an amnesty for fishermen who have placed illegal pots -- banned in 1990 -- in the water but are afraid to pull and destroy them for fear of being caught and prosecuted.

This year has seen a high tech campaign to catch fishermen in the act of hauling illegal pots.

Several have been arrested and three have already pleaded guilty, each earning $9,000 in fines.

"I believe it was a recommendation from (United Bermuda Party) Sen. Kim Swan who called for something to be done about abandoned fish pots,'' Mr. Pitman said. "The Minister seems to have reacted to that.

"As far as that goes I think it is a positive decision,'' he continued. "It is very important to protect our fish stocks and hopefully this will be a good thing. I hope that it works.

"If this does work in encouraging fishermen to report where these abandoned pots are then it will be very worthwhile. The Minister has done a positive thing for the fish stocks, otherwise they could be out there killing off our fish, which helps nobody.'' Abandoned or "ghost'' pots on the reef line have the potential to continue killing fish for years and experts believe there are enough of them to decimate fish stocks.

Turning to Mr. Hodgson's decision to entertain new applications by two fishermen to get their licences back next spring, Mr. Pitman also supported that move.

"That was fair as well,'' he said. "I hope the individuals have learned their lesson and if they are caught again they should be dealt with severely.'' He added: "It is basically a positive decision and I can't say I disagree.'' Mr. Farias approved of both decisions yesterday, calling Mr. Hodgson a "humanitarian'' for saying he would consider the fishermen's applications.

And while Mr. Farias doubts the numbers of ghost pots are huge, he said he will take a wait-and-see attitude until August 15.

"I applaud the Minister. For him to do this, I really applaud him,'' Mr.

Farias said. "But claims that there are "tons'' of pots like Opposition member Trevor Moniz said are a gross exaggeration. I don't believe that.

"Let's get the count on August 15,'' he added. "Are there illegal pots out there? Certainly. But a vast quantity I can't see that.'' As for the fishermen and their licence application, Mr. Farias made a frank admission of his son's arrest for illegal fish pots and was concerned for other's livelihoods.

"Mr. Hodgson is an humanitarian. He cares about people and Bermuda,'' he added. "But we can't go through this ban all over again. Not this hell and purgatory again.

"I don't condone any illegal activity. My son is caught up in it,'' Mr.

Farias explained. "The yoke has been taken from around their neck. How much more punishment does someone have to pay? "But all of this could have been avoided. Fishermen were calling for something to be done as far back as the 1970s. All of this was to protect fin fish.''