Here is an interesting tidbit of information. On Page 10 of the recently released popular publication `Dining Out in Bermuda'', there is an article by Joe Gibbons on the different types of fish available for eating in Bermuda.

Under the two categories of fish available (Inshore and Offshore), Mr. Gibbons gives us the following interesting bit of info. "Inshore fish are caught by line or pot...'' Hummmm...I thought using pots to catch fish in Bermuda was illegal.

Maybe Joe Gibbons knows something we don't.

AMAZED City of Hamilton Shot in the foot again July 11, 2000 Dear Sir, I have often wanted to write my views on issues, but have never wanted to get into a protracted public exchange. Today's front page story, however, implies an arrogance which I find unacceptable.

During the Second World War they said "Loose lips sink ships'', but according to your paper, our officials in St. George's have sunk an entire convoy for many years to come. For several years I have promoted Bermuda as a haven for yachtsmen who need to move north for the hurricane season. This is driven by their insurance coverage requiring them to be North of the Tropic of Cancer, or South of 13 degrees, from June 30 until October 31 every year.

I have felt that Bermuda is an ideal destination for cruising yachtsmen, and it significantly assists our tourism and related revenues.

Now, apparently, with one sweep of the autocratic brush, we have sent a signal through the sailing community, and it is huge, that yachtsmen are not welcome for anything more than a quick stop to refuel and shelter from ocean passages.

The resultant fallout will undoubtedly affect revenues for all yacht service providers, and this is therefore another blow to the economics of this Island.

Bermuda could have been promoted as a desirable destination for this low-labour-intense industry, but yet again we shoot ourselves in the foot, which appears to be invariably in our mouth! BRIAN R. HALL Smith's Parish Stop jailing deadbeat dads July 12, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing this letter because I am appalled at the way our so called "People's'' government is incarcerating our black Bermudian men, young and old, for non-payment of child support. I have to express my strong opinion on this matter because if it had not hit so close to home, I would not have been aware of this situation.

In the past few weeks, I have read so much about Family Magistrate Carlisle Greaves and the fact that he has collected such a high percentage of child support payment since he has been in his current position. This is excellent for Government's financial records at year-end, but has anyone looked at the long term effects of incarceration on our Bermudian men, let alone the effect on the children? What are custodial parents telling their children when they ask "Where is my father?'' Prison is not a suitable environment for a child to visit their parent no matter how good the intention may be.

I have seen this Government imprison another young man who was working two jobs to make ends meet, both jobs being seasonal, and instead of the magistrate requesting garnishment of his wages, the young man was incarcerated. As a result, he lost both jobs.

I have seen this Government imprison another young man who struggled for a year trying to obtain a full-time job in order to take care of his responsibilities. He was, at one time, living on the streets and from house to house. Six weeks to date after he finally managed to get a half-way, decent paying, full-time job, he was hauled into court for non-payment of support.

Mr. Greaves never listened to this defendant and the fact that this young man had finally gotten a job after a year of trying. Of course, he lost his job too.

Readers, I will not insult your intelligence by going into how difficult it is for these men to find a job once they have been incarcerated. I am sure you can clearly see for yourself that this process was implemented by some pretty brainless individuals.

These are only two cases. However, I can assure you there are plenty more. In the building where I work there are approximately five women whose boyfriends/husbands are incarcerated for non-payment of child support. This is appalling.

Please explain to me, Mr. Greaves, would it not have been better to have garnished these men's salaries instead of incarcerating them. If these are morally supportive fathers, what are you telling their children? And please explain to me what is so productive about incarcerating these men.

The custodial parent does not receive any support while these men are incarcerated. In most cases, when the men are given the permission for work release, the work is so menial, they do not make enough to cover the cost of incarceration let along enough to pay off the debt in the 90-day sentence that they receive. Believe it or not, when the 90 days are up, if these men have not paid their debt in full, which in most cases is thousands of dollars and hardly likely to be paid in the 90 days, these men are automatically returned to prison for another 90 days. It seems to me that this form of justice has to be illegal. Aren't you convicting a person for the same crime twice? Most times, these men become a financial burden on the families that they leave behind. Since the prison is unable to provide for all their needs, the family must step in to assist. Not only that, but we, the people, are paying $100 per day to incarcerate these men on a civil suit which in most cases could have been avoided if only the system would have taken more time and a little paper work to garnishee their salaries.

I see so many disheartened men at the prison as a result of Mr. Greaves' hasty decisions. I can fully understand the prison officers' concern for safety. I see so many blank faces when I go for my weekly visit at the prison. I wonder, Mr. Greaves, how many criminals you have created by what you and our "People's'' government are doing. Again I ask, "What is the long term effect going to have on our Bermudian men, let along on their children?'' Remember one thing Mr. Greaves, there is more to being a parent then money. If you would take a moment to look, you will see that most of these women, although the children deserve the support cheques, take the child's weekly support and go to their favourite clothing store to buy their scanty outfits so they look good sitting on the bar stool.

Mr. Greaves and Mr. Government, take some time to look at each case on an individual basis. Stop locking up our men; look for alternatives.

CONTEMPT OF COURT Hamilton Parish Coverage was one-sided July 14, 2000 Dear Sir, I write in response to your article of July 12 and 13, 2000 covering the Bermuda Debate Team.

As the mother of Whitney Darrell, I was disturbed when I viewed your coverage of the Bermuda-London debate.

One of the goals of such organisations as the Bermuda Debating Society is to foster attitudes of team spirit. I would therefore have expected as any coach or parent would, that the visual coverage would have attempted to picture the team and not to have singled out on two separate occasions, only one child.

Such lack of thought undermines the very fibre of team effort and team success. Each child contributed to the debate; therefore no individual can be greater than the team of which he is a part.

Coverage such as this causes division and resentment amongst team members. To the team, I wish you many more successes and memorable times. Each of you bring to the team your own strengths and vantage points.

SHARON WILSON Southampton Correction did not help July 13, 2000 Dear Sir, In my letter of July 3 published in today's edition of The Royal Gazette , a deliberately misspelled word I wrote has suffered a "correction'' by one of your editorial staff, thus greatly reducing its thrust.

The phrase involved, and I repeat it here, was "The public services and personal worth of Major General Sir William Reid Govenor (sic) of Bermuda 1839-1846''.

I should be pleased if you would publish this correction.

PETER J. WILLCOCKS Smith's Parish Thanks for the help June 13, 2000 Dear Sir, On behalf of Lions, Lionesses and Leos of Bermuda I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the community for their support during "White Cane Day'' held March, 2000. The tag day would not have been a success without you.

It gives us in Lionism an opportunity to assist those less fortunate with their challenging optical concerns.

Community involvement and support is the only way that our service will succeed.

Again, Thank You. We look forward to your continued support! KATHY-ANN LEWIS Zone Chairperson Lions, Lioness and Leos of Bermuda Tag Day was a success July 10, 2000 Dear Sir, I would appreciate you printing the letter enclosed of thank you regarding our annual Tag Day.

The Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association would like to thank the many volunteer taggers and businesses that through their participation in our annual June Tag Day raised $14,000.

By helping us you have helped so many people in Bermuda who rely on our assistance and services.

DOROTHY MORGAN-SWAN, RN Director PR and Education Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association