A retired fisherman was slapped with a $10,000 fine in Magistrates' Court yesterday after he admitted being in possession of two lobsters during the off-season.

Kenneth Earl Minks, 62, of Fort Lane, St. George's, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Edward King after the court heard how fisheries wardens went to the man's East End home on August 30 last year - one day before the beginning of lobster season.

In addition to the two lobsters, several lobster whips were found on Minks' property, said Crown counsel Koshea Scott.

Minks, who was represented by Larry Scott, faced up to a year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.

However, the law states that once a person is convicted of being in possession of a lobster during the off-season, if convicted again they face having the penalty doubled.

It was the third time Minks had been convicted for the offence. After Minks' sentencing, head fisheries warden Dave Garland expressed his satisfaction with the fine.

"The fisheries department is grateful that the courts have given us the support for protecting the environment," he said.

While he admitted $10,000 is the highest penalty he has seen handed down in his nine years attached to the Department of Environmental Protection, Mr. Garland said it was a fair sentence in light of Minks' repeated convictions.

And, Mr. Garland said while some may consider his department harsh for raiding someone within 24 hours of lobster season beginning, he maintained the department had to vigilantly enforce the law in order to protect the Island's marine life.

"The off-season is their (lobsters) time to breed," Mr. Garland said.

Minks was given until April 30 to pay the fine.