on Friday. And his two spearfishing buddies, also of Hamilton Parish, were fined $350 each. Kevin Carter, 20, Scott Gibbons, 26, and Marty Lema, 34, all of Hamilton Parish, appeared in Magistrates' Court on charges of illegal spearfishing.

The men all pleaded guilty to taking fish by spearfishing, and taking a protected fish -- parrot fish -- on October 28.

Carter also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of taking lobsters by spearfishing.

Marine Police found the four men on board a 12-foot white boat after they had just emerged from the water.

A search revealed three lobsters and 25 fish, 15 of which were parrot fish.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis told the men: "One can understand young men being out of work and since we have a lot of water around here, I can understand you trying to make money by catching fish.

"But spear fishing is the kind of fishing that does not benefit anyone.'' Mr. Francis ordered Carter to pay a $100 fine for spearfishing lobsters and ordered all the men to pay $200 for spear fishing and $150 for taking the parrot fish.