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LDWF Agents Cite Subject for Fishing Violations in Gulf of America
Baton Rouge, - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents federally cited a subject for alleged commercial fishing violations in the Gulf of America.
Agents cited Joshua Thanh Dinh, 53, of Duson, for violating federal highly migratory species regulations, violating federal coastal migratory pelagic species, possessing undersized Spanish mackerel and taking coastal pelagic species with illegal gear.
Agents were on patrol in the Gulf of America on a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol when they observed a commercial trawling vessel engaged in fishing. Agents made contact with Dinh, who was the captain of the vessel.
Agents found Dinh in possession of four bonnethead sharks and 63 Spanish mackerel, of which 32 of the mackerel were found to be under the legal size limit of 12 inches. During questioning, Dinh admitted to agents that he caught the fish in his shrimp trawls.
During the inspection, agents also found that Dinh did not possess the required licenses to possess those fish species on his trawling vessel.
Agents seized the Spanish mackerel and sharks.
Federal charges for commercial fishing violations are referred to the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement for prosecution.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Lucas Hidalgo, Sgt. Brandon Fontenot and Corporal Garret Kirkland.