which starts in less than one week.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has advised the public that traps used in the commercial spiny lobster fishery will be set from today.

The Minister of the Environment has granted 27 lobster licences for this season with each licence holder having an allotment of 12 traps.

The total of 324 traps is six fewer than last year and is in keeping with the projected level of fishing for a sustainable yield of spiny lobsters.

In 1999, a total catch of 32,632 lobster was recorded by fisherman, compared to 26,992 in 1998, 34,043 in 1997 and only 9,446 in 1996.

Fisherman setting traps are not permitted to haul their traps until September 1, the opening day of the season, and possession of lobsters prior to September 1 is an offence.

Following the completion of the two year experimental guinea chick fishery in April this year, it has been decided to allow a continuation of this experimental fishery until a final recommendation is put forward following deliberation of this topic in Government's Green Paper on Marine Resources.

As a consequence, the public may observe the deployment and tending of guinea chick traps, particularly along the South Shore where the traps are frequently set close to the breaker line.

Only four fisherman are involved in this extension of the experimental guinea chick fishery.

Guinea Chick fishing ceased almost ten years ago but in 1998, the experimental fishery caught 10,235 of the tasty crustaceans, and 9,310 last year.

Any enquiries concerning lobster fisheries should be directed to the division of Fisheries at Coney Island or to the main department at the Botanical Gardens.

GOVERNMENT GVT