skipper of the fishing boat.

Mr. David Arsenault, 36, said he may join Ignis Foods of the United Kingdom in taking court action against Captain Edwin B. Cross, Jr. unless a settlement is reached. He spoke to the captain and said he is optimistic the matter can be resolved.

Over loud protests from local fishermen, Government invited the Anna C to Bermuda through a contract with Ignis. The plan was to conduct a six-month experiment to determine whether longline fishing could be a new offshore industry for Bermuda.

But the experiment ended early amid financial problems and tuna catches that were lower than hoped for.

Ignis has filed a writ in Supreme Court seeking to recover close to $10,000 in cash and equipment from Capt. Cross.

And Mr. Jason Payne, a Bermudian who sailed with the Anna C , has said Capt.

Cross did not seem interested in catching many fish.

Mr. Arsenault, who hails from Detroit, Michigan but is currently on the Island, would not comment on the captain's fishing methods. "If we have to go through and sue Mr. Cross, there are going to be things that come out in court,'' he said.

He estimated he and another crew member, Mr. R.J. Theins, are each owed between $500 and $1,500.