that 5 p.m. today is the deadline for applying for a licence to participate in the spiny lobster fishery.

Only 20 licences are available this year and the total number of traps in use will be held to last year's level.

Applications should be made at the Division of Fisheries at Coney Island, or at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at the Botanical Gardens.

The lobster season runs from September to April.