Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested six subjects on board two vessels for alleged oyster violations in St. Bernard Parish on Aug. 28.
Agents arrested Glenn J. Cascio Sr., 54, and Glenn J. Cascio Jr., 35, both of St. Bernard, from one vessel and Baron T. Navarro, 40, of Mereaux, Sotelo A. Galdino, 36, of Seabrook, Texas, Rigoberto Badillo-Gomez, 38, Mereaux, and Jose Camalgo, 18, of of Seabrook, Texas, from another vessel for taking oysters during a closed season. Navarro was also cited for failing to comply with refrigeration requirements.
Due to numerous complaints of illegal oyster harvesting on the State Seed Grounds in Drum Bay, agents set up surveillance nearby and at 3:30 p.m. observed two oyster vessels enter the area and begin dredging. The Drum Bay public grounds are currently closed to all oyster harvesting.
Agents stopped both vessels and found each to have loose oysters on their decks and in their dredges. Agents seized all four dredges and a total of 136 sacks of oysters, which were returned to the water.
All men were booked into the St. Bernard Parish Jail.
Taking oysters during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Any person convicted of this violation may only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system monitored by LDWF for a period of one year. Failing to comply with refrigeration requirements carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case are Capt. Stephen McManus, Lt. Scot Keller, Sgts. Keith Francis, Adam Young, Mike Garrity and Villere Reggio, Agent Jason Gernados and Senior Agent Richard Clark.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.