Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three men for alleged oyster violations in the Empire area of Plaquemines Parish on May 19.
Agents cited Diego Gonzalez, 21, of Bacliff, Texas, Jose Bocanegra, 45, of St. Bernard, and Khal Kim, 23, of Empire, for harvesting oysters from vessels in violation of the state’s oyster harvesting health code.
Agents found Gonzalez harvesting oysters from a vessel without the required tarp to protect oysters from sun and other adverse conditions. Agents then found Bocanegra harvesting oysters from a vessel that was not following refrigeration requirements for oysters intended for raw consumption. Finally Kim was caught harvesting oysters without the required Department of Health and Hospitals logbook.
Failing to follow refrigeration requirements for oysters brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Harvesting oysters without the required logbook and tarp in adverse conditions each carries a $25 fine and up to 10 days in jail for each offense.
Agents seized a total of 161 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Agents participating in case are Sgt. Adam Young, and Agents Travis Bartlett, and Blaine Wagner.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.