A St James man whose social media posts of a Father’s Day event led to the discovery of more than 50 pounds of lobster in his possession was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000 by the St James Parish Court last Wednesday.

Hevard Dias Bingham pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of possession of lobster during the closed season when he appeared before presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton.

He was arrested on June 16 after authorities discovered 51.3 pounds of lobster in his possession at the event in Montego Bay, St James.

The official conducting the investigation notified the court that their attention was drawn to the matter due to its promotion on various social media platforms.

Dias, upon being granted permission to address the court, explained that he had been storing the lobster in his freezer since February and was unaware of the requirement to declare it.

He was subsequently fined $150,000 or three months in jail.

Jamaican law prohibits lobster fishing from April 1 to June 30, and it is illegal to keep live lobsters in holding devices. Unintentionally caught lobsters must be released immediately, and offenders may face fines up to $3 million or imprisonment for up to two years.

To store or sell spiny lobster during the closed season, individuals must submit a signed declaration to the licensing authority by March 31. A certificate of storage will be issued after a fishery inspector’s visit. Spiny lobsters stored between April 1 and 21 can be sold, exported, or processed within this 21-day period.

After April 21, it is illegal to possess any species of spiny lobsters or parts or products, regardless of their state of freshness.