Captain’s license revoked for one year, all fined and given probation, community service, LDWF says
Four oystermen pleaded guilty last week to harvesting oysters from a private lease without permission in 32nd Judicial District Court in Terrebonne Parish, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Judge Johnny Walker sentenced Zeth M. Lodrigue, 27, of Dulac, Tia C. Linson, 36, of Dulac, Damien L. Rel, 19, of Houma and Anna C. Parfait, 20, of Bourg, for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease without written permission. Each subject was fined $900 plus court costs and placed on probation for two years.
Each defendant can also only harvest oysters on a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system for one year, and must also complete 40 hours of community service within 90 days. The oyster harvester license for the captain — Lodrigue — was revoked for one year, and the vessel used in connection with the violation was forfeited to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, the release states.
Enforcement agents with the LDWF cited the four subjects on May 13 in Trouble Bayou in lower Terrebonne Parish, and seized 11 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water, according to the release.
