The public state oyster seed grounds opened in certain areas of St. Bernard and Terrebonne parishes on Nov. 3.
These oyster seed grounds open with the intent for fishermen to take marketable oysters for commerce. Special permits, licenses and reporting requirements are imposed for those fishermen fishing on these grounds. These measures, along with sack limits, allow the department to collect data and effectively manage the health, productivity and sustainability of these oyster seed grounds.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), along with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, participated in a joint enforcement patrol on these oyster seed grounds on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.
LDWF agents boarded vessels for oyster fishing regulation compliance while USCG officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents boarded vessels to determine immigration regulations compliance for crewmembers.
LDWF agents issued three citations for allegedly not possessing seed ground gear permits and two citations for allegedly failing to report oyster harvest data on Nov. 3 and 4. Agents seized 27 sacks of oysters and returned them to the oyster seed ground.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and USCG officers took 10 people into custody for alleged violation of immigration laws on Nov. 3.
The violation of oyster harvesting regulations carry up to a $350 fine for each offense.