Environment Minister Irving Pearman has been accused of "throwing the book'' at three fishermen after he revoked their lobster trap licences for the rest of the season.

The lobster traps were confiscated two weeks ago after it was discovered that escape hatches in the pots -- which allow smaller animals to escape -- had been sealed up.

Yesterday Mr. Pearman confirmed that the licences of three fishermen had been withdrawn while a decision on a fourth fisherman currently off the Island had yet to be decided.

Fury over seizure of lobster traps But the move has been condemned by Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess who urged the minister to "give the men a break''.

And he warned that relations between the union and Government could now be soured by the action. When the pots were first confiscated Mr. Burgess claimed the men had not acted illegally.

In a climb down last night he admitted that "some laws were violated'' but he still insisted that Mr. Pearman had acted too harshly.

"I am disappointed with the decision of the minister,'' Mr. Burgess said.

"He's thrown the book at them when he could have given them a break. The fishermen have had a harder time than anyone in this country and there are people out there spying on them. That's not the way to live or work.

"They will now have to re-apply for their licenses next year although of course there's no guarantee that they'll get them.'' Mr. Burgess continued: "The thing is there were some abnormalities with the pots and the fishermen were working with the fishery officials who said they would get back to them with a permanent solution.

"Some laws were violated, I am not denying that, but it wasn't a blatant disregard for the rules of this country.

"What's now happening is that you and I are paying for these fishermen to live because they don't have any other means of making a living. The tax payer is now paying for them.

"These men want to work but everyone makes mistakes but Mr. Pearman is only interested in taking these people out. It's certainly not going to do any good for the relationship between the BIU and the Government.'' But last night Mr. Pearman defended his position. "I am carrying out my responsibility,'' he said. "Lobster fishermen are very privileged. There are some 80 to 100 fishermen on the Island but only about 20 with lobster trap licences. There are other fishermen who would love to be in that position but it's all a question of trust.'' UNIONS UNS GOVERNMENT GVT ENVIRONMENT ENV