The son of the ex-chairman of Government's Marine Resources Board was yesterday arrested after an undercover Police probe into the use of illegal fishpots, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Andrew Farias -- son of Danny Farias, who quit as chairman of the Government board at the start of the year -- and two others were arrested on board the fishing boat Lone Star in the Great Sound in the early hours of yesterday morning for alleged fisheries offences.

And it is understood the arrests are the first shots across the bow of the fishing industry in a major clampdown on illegal fishing across the Island.

If convicted, Mr. Farias could face heavy fines and have his fisherman's licence revoked.

The law also allows for the confiscation of boats and/or gear in some cases.

Lone Star was once owned by Mr. Farias Snr., but it is understood he sold it to Michael Barnes, also arrested in the sea raid.

Mr. Farias Sr. -- who is believed to be off the Island -- could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Fishpots were controversially banned in 1990 by then-Environment Minister Ann Cartwright DeCouto amid fears over declining fish stocks.

Mr. Farias Sr. -- a former Progressive Labour Party candidate -- led the battle against the ban on fishpots and later represented the fishing industry in the Bermuda Industrial Union.

He was fined $2,000 in 1991 -- shortly after the fishpot ban was introduced -- after being convicted of possessing and using fishpots.

Mr. Farias Sr. fought a five-year battle to reverse the ban, claiming it contravened the Bermuda Constitution.

He was represented by an English QC and lawyer Arthur Hodgson, who became Environment Minister after the 1998 PLP victory and appointed Mr. Farias to the chairmanship of the Marine Resources Board.

After the Court of Appeal threw out Mr. Farias Sr.'s case, Bermuda's final appeal court, the Privy Council in London, rejected a petition to take the appeal to them.

Yesterday, Police declined to comment on the operation.

But a Police spokesman said: "Over the last two months, Marine Section has been carrying out observations and conducting inquiries into a number of offences contrary to the Fisheries Act and Regulations.

"These offences included the possession and use of illegal fishpots.

"As a result of the investigations, three persons were arrrested and their fishing boat has been impounded.

"The three local men, two from Pembroke and one from Devonshire, are assisting Police with their inquiries. The investigations are continuing.'' Photos by David Skinner Fishpot arrests: The crew of the fishing boat Lone Star (above) wait on board after the vessel was seized by Marine Police (top) in an early-hours swoop yesterday morning. Andrew Farias (left) son of the former Marine Resources Board chairman was among the three later arrested for alleged fishing offences. Also shown are what is believed to be the boat's owner, Michael Barnes (right) and an unidentified crewman.

FISHERMEN FHP