Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents working St. Mary, Terrebonne and LaFourche parishes have made nine closed season shrimping cases and seized over 6,500 pounds of illegally taken shrimp since April.
Agents cited Chaz Barrios, 26, of Venice, and Walter Heathcock, 31, of Covington, for using skimmer nets during a closed season on April 1. Agents seized 2,228 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets.
On May 15, agents cited Wade Lacoste, 46, of Theriot, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Agents seized 149 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets.
Agents cited Charlie Billiot, 61, of Dulac, and Ernest Dion Jr., 30, of Dulac, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,495 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets on June2.
On June 21, agents cited Ha Nguyen, 41, of San Jose, Calif., and Lau Ho, 50, of Gretna, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Agents seized 1,100 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets.
Agents cited Gilday Aucoin, 61, of Belle River, and Michael Edwards, 58, of Pierre Part, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 50 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets on June 27.
On July 14, agents cited Corey Joseph, 26, of Houma, Rodney Pellegrin Jr., 34, of Houma, and Cilombo Collins, 40, of Houma, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Agents seized 86 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets.
Agents cited Aaron Tillman, 40, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., and Easton Rodrigue, 43, of Montegut, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,078 pounds of shrimp and shrimp nets on July 15.
On July 17, agents cited Marquis Broussard, 39, of Montegut, and Bryce Broussard, 42, of Montegut, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Agents seized 193 pounds of shrimp and nets.
Agents cited Kelly Lebouef, 33, and Sheri Arceneaux, 39, both of Montegut, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 286 pounds of shrimp and nets on July 21.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. In addition to any and all other penalties, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The court shall also sentence the violator to perform 40 hours of community service.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.