Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited two subjects for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on June 8.
Agents cited Santiago Mendez-Luis, 50, and Joshua Manuel Gregoire, 19, both from Houma, for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission.
While on patrol near Bay Sale, agents found the subjects harvesting oysters by hand. The subjects did not have permission to harvest oysters on this private oyster lease.
Agents returned eight sacks of oysters to the water and seized the vessel under an LDWF seizure order.
Unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized. Failure to have written permission carries a $400 to $900 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
The men could also have their oyster harvester licenses revoked by the department for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.
Agents involved in the case are Lt. Joseph Arnaud and Sgt. Bryan Marie.