Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four men in two separate cases for alleged shrimping violations on August 11 and 12 in St. Bernard and Terrebonne parishes.
Agents were patrolling on Aug. 11 in the Lake Pelto area of Terrebonne Parish when they came across a skimming vessel actively shrimping. Agents cited Jearmie Bourg Jr, 19, and Valerie Authement, 54, both of Chauvin, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season and seized 434 pounds of shrimp. Agents also cited Bourg for improper boat numbers.
Agents patrolling near the Back Levee Canal area of Hopedale observed a vessel actively shrimping on Aug. 12. Agents cited Gregory Porche, 58, and Gregory Porche Jr., 28, both of Springfield, on Aug. 12 in St. Bernard Parish for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. There were no shrimp on board the Porche’s vessel as they were just getting started and the contents of the skimmers were returned to the water.
The inshore shrimp season is set to open on Aug. 17 at 6 a.m.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up 120 days in jail. Operating a vessel with improper boat numbers brings up to a $50 fine and 15 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.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Michael Garrity, Senior Agent Dean Aucoin, Agent Richie Bean, Sgt. Ted Dewitt and Lt. Joe Arnaud.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.