Fisheries Dept. arrests nine

While most robberies are committed with a gun or a knife, there are some thefts at sea that make use of a speargun, net or trap. The Fisheries Department reports that its conservation compliance unit has been active over the last two months, with nine people arrested for possession of illegal marine products, either undersized or out of season. The two Hondurans, one Guatemalan and six Belizeans were fined a total of over nineteen thousand dollars and a boat, engine and fishing gear were also confiscated, along with two hundred pounds of conch and sixteen lobsters. Lobster season is closed through June fourteenth while conch season closes July first to September thirtieth. And if you have a taste for hicatee this month, forget it. Those popular freshwater turtles get a rest from hunters the entire month of May.