the look-out for lobster thieves, director Mr. John Barnes confirmed.

He said there had been several reports from fishermen who believed lobsters had been stolen from their pots.

The pots are required to be marked by buoys. Mr. Barnes warned that stealing lobsters and tampering with lobster pots in any way were offences which carried fines of up to $5,000 and a one-year prison sentence.

"Marine Police have been made aware of the problem and they are assisting us,'' he said. "I would say about two to three fishermen have had trouble in that regard, but it's hard to say because they may have just not caught any lobsters.'' Mr. Barnes said there had also been reports of missing lobster pots, but he did not believe theft was involved.

He said it was more likely strong currents had moved the pots quite a distance or boat propellers had chopped them off their markers.

Mr. Barnes said on the whole there had been few problems among lobster fishermen.

Compared to the experimental lobster fishery last year, fishermen had caught more lobsters per unit, he said.

The seven-month lobster season ends next March. Mr. Barnes said fishermen had so far netted 3,400 lobsters.

"That's quite a lot, especially considering not all gear (pots) are out there -- some are being modified. I'd say the fishery is going quite well because some are doing very well, some poorly and some average.'' Mr. Barnes added fishermen had been having little difficulty selling their catches.

Problems which still had to be ironed out, he said, included those surrounding a decision on an "allowable catch-per-unit figure'' and the best type of pot.

Fishermen had been allowed to make modifications to their pots, he pointed out.