The Enforcement Division of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources confiscated more than 16 spiny lobsters and slipper lobsters, or papata, last week and issued citations to two fishermen because of their illegal catch.
More were seized earlier in the week from roadside sales.
Head of the Enforcement Unit, Hanipale Hanipale Jr. said it is unlawful to use a spear to catch the slipper lobster. However, the tails of the lobsters they found on an alia last Friday morning when it docked were covered with holes from spears. Also the spiny lobsters were undersized and had eggs which under local law cannot be harvested. Hanipale explained that thousands of lobsters would breed from the eggs that were found on the catch and the lobsters should have been released. 
He said the regulations have been explained repeatedly to fishermen when they renew their licenses. However, DMWR is still finding that some fishermen are ignoring the law.
He said they were fortunate to catch the fishermen on the alia on Friday morning, but many times fishermen get away with their unpermitted catches when they come into port and enforcement officers are not present.
Photos: DMWR
