Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for their roles in an alleged illegal fish buying and selling transaction in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Patrick Percle, 55, of Schriever, on Feb. 5 for purchasing game fish and buying fish from an unlicensed dealer. Agents also cited Timmy Autin, 56, of Houma, on Feb. 9 for selling or buying fish without a wholesale/retail license, failing to maintain records, selling or purchasing game fish, selling undersized fish, and buying commercial fish from an unlicensed dealer.
An Agent on patrol on Feb. 5 observed a truck belonging to Percle with multiple ice chests in the bed parked at a gas station on the corner of Hwy. 20 and North Main Project Road in Schriever. The agent then noticed Autin approach the truck and pour ice and fish into the ice chests in the bed of Percle’s truck. The agent then observed Percle hand Autin money.
The agent then followed Percle as he left the gas station and stopped his vehicle. During questioning, Percle admitted to the agent that he purchased red drum and crabs for $50. The agent counted 22 red drum in the cooler of which 20 were undersized and six dozen crabs.
On Feb. 9, agents met with Autin where he admitted to buying the fish and crabs from another person and then called Percle to sell the fish and crabs to him.
Agents seized the fish and donated them to a local charity and returned the crabs back to the water.
Selling or purchasing game fish and buying commercial fish from an unlicensed dealer each carries a $350 to $500 and 30 days in jail for each offense.
Selling or buying fish without a wholesale/retail license, failing to maintain records, and selling undersized fish each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense.