Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested four men for alleged oyster harvesting violations on Dec. 16 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents arrested Alfredo De-Laoanaya, 21, of Houma, Francisco Maradingo-Ruiz, 34, of Houma, Esteban Morelos-Reyes, 60, of Houma, and Eliazar Martine-Macedo, 28, of Beaumont, Texas, for take oysters during a closed season on the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation and taking oysters during illegal hours. The captain of the vessel, De-Laoanaya, was also cited for violating the log book and vessel sanitation requirements sanitation codes, improper running lights, and improper boat numbers.
On Dec. 16, LDWF agents were notified about someone harvesting oysters during a closed season off of the Sister Lake Seed Reservation. Agents setup surveillance and observed a vessel in the open water of Sister Lake dredging for oysters.
Agents stopped the vessel shortly before 6 p.m. and found the four men in possession of 60 sacks of oysters. Agents seized the vessel, two oyster dredges and returned the oysters to the water. The men were booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail.
The Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation is closed for the 2014/15 season.
Agents participating in this care are Sgt. Bryan Marie, Senior Agent Stephen Rhodes, Agent Ryan Breaux and Agent Lucas Hidalgo.
Taking oysters during illegal hours carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Having improper running lights and improper boat numbers carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail for each offense. Violating the logbook sanitation code and vessel sanitation requirements each carries up to a $25 fine and up to 10 days in jail for each offense.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.