From left to right: CRCL Boardmember Will Norman, Col. Rachel Zechenelly, LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan, Senior Agent Heather Fitzgerald, LCBA CEO Richard Fischer, and Capt. Tim Fox.
LCBA Richard Fischer and Senior Agent Heather Fitzgerald
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agent was the recipient of a Louisiana Charter Boat Association (LCBA) award at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting on April 9 in Baton Rouge.
Senior Agent Heather Fitzgerald received the third annual Theophile Bourgeois Memorial Award for the law enforcement agent that best exemplifies the LDWF mission, specifically pertaining to promoting professionalism within the Louisiana charter for hire industry.
Senior Agent Fitzgerald, of Metairie, primarily patrols the waterways in southeastern Louisiana and has been an agent for over two years. In 2023, Senior Agent Fitzgerald issued 11 citations for violating state charter guide regulations. She also participated with other agents on failing to comply with charter guide regulation cases, which meant she was involved with over half of the charter guide violation cases for the entire state.
"Senior Agent Fitzgerald works diligently to enforce all recreational fishing and boating safety related laws in her very busy district. She has a professional manner whenever dealing with the public and has developed a reputation for investigating charter guide violations," said LDWF Col. Rachel Zechenelly. "Because of the excellent work by Senior Agent Fitzgerald and many other agents across the state, not only are Louisiana’s fishery resources better protected, but the integrity of the majority of professional charter guide fishermen is protected. This fortifies the reputation of Louisiana’s charter industry and aids in the growth of eco-tourism that benefits many people."
According to the LCBA, the recipient demonstrates above-and-beyond performance and professionalism in the field, while also demonstrating outstanding conservation of our natural resources and promotion of Louisiana fisheries.
"Thanks to the dedicated leadership exhibited by Secretary Madison Sheahan and Col. Rachel Zechenelly, as well as the endless commitment of agents like Senior Agent Heather Fitzgerald, LDWF Enforcement has done a tremendous job of increasing the professionalism of the Louisiana charter fishing industry by citing many suspected charter violations, including suspected unlicensed charter operators," said LCBA CEO Richard Fischer. “The Louisiana charter fishing industry thanks Senior Agent Fitzgerald for her remarkable and selfless service, and we look forward to recognizing LDWF Enforcement’s continued success on this front.”
As part of the award, the Louisiana Charter Boat Association provided Senior Agent Fitzgerald with a donation in her name to the charity of her choice, which was the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL). This organization was established in 1988 and is dedicated to coastal restoration by working with all levels of government to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana are top priorities for the state and nation.
The award is named after Theophile Bourgeois who was a charter captain and owner of Bourgeois Charters. His life ended in 2019 during a seaplane crash in which he was credited with saving the lives of two passengers.