COUNTY - The price of these lobsters works out to about $1,000 a pound and those paying didn't even get to eat them.

 Two men were fined a total of $4,000 September 1 in Bridgewater provincial court after they admitted they dove for lobster off the LaHave Islands last month.

 Merrill Aldercotte, 29, of Crescent Beach and Connor Bernard Douglas, 18, of Halifax each pleaded guilty to charges of fishing for lobster during a closed time. Mr. Aldercotte was fined $2,500. Mr. Douglas, who never handled the illegal catch, was fined $1,500.

 Federal prosecutor Jodi Mailman told the court fishery officers received an anonymous call on the afternoon of August 14 about two divers off Bells Island. The officers staked out a Jetta parked in the area and soon saw two men putting diving gear in the car's trunk.

 The officers stopped the vehicle and searched the trunk, seizing four lobsters, two scallops and some diving gear.

 Mr. Aldercotte told the officers he'd been diving for bottles when one of the lobsters grabbed his suit so he put it in the bag.

 In court last week, he apologized for setting such a bad example for Mr. Douglas, whom he was responsible for that day. The younger man has since taken a job as a dishwasher so he can pay his fine.

 "It was a severe lapse in judgment and I really regret it," Mr. Aldercotte said.

posted on 09/07/10