Cast netters on the refuge are not allowed to sell their catch, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited several recreational shrimpers for alleged violations on the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Vermilion and Cameron parishes over the last several days.
According to a press release, patrols were coordinated near Rollover and Joseph’s Harbor in response to cast netters violating refuge regulations and selling their catch, and several people were cited:
On Sept. 30, agents cited Philip K. Breaux, 62, of Youngsville, for allegedly selling shrimp that he caught from the refuge.
On Oct. 5, agents cited Justin R. Choate, 42, of Pecan Island, and Jonathan Goudeaux, 54, of Lafayette, for allegedly taking over the limit of shrimp.
Agents also cited Rodney L. Broussard, 62, and Brenda L. Broussard, 54, both from Henderson, Nicholas J. Touchet, 37, of Abbeville, Barrett Beraud, 38, of Maurice and Jason S. Royston, 45, of Lafayette, for allegedly entering the refuge before legal sunrise on Oct. 6.
Also on Oct. 6, agents also cited Steven D. Johnson, 39, and Gerald J. Constantin, 66, both from Rayne, and Bernard J. Constantin, 64, of Crowley, for allegedly taking over the limit of shrimp.
On Oct. 8, agents cited Woodrow J. Goodly, 64, of Lafayette, and Philip R. Duos, 50 of Crowley, for allegedly taking over the limit of shrimp.
Agents seized more than 220 pounds of shrimp in connection with violations and donated them to a local charity.
Cast netters are not allowed on the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge before legal sunrise and are allowed 25 pounds of shrimp per day during an inside open shrimp season. The shrimp can only be used for personal consumption or bait for sport fishing, the release states.
Selling fish caught recreationally brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. In addition, a person shall forfeit his fishing license, and he shall not be issued a recreational license of any type and shall be barred from participating in any type of recreational fishing for a period of one year from the date of conviction.
Taking over the limit of shrimp or entering the refuge before legal sunrise carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.