Agents seize almost 3,500 pounds of shrimp during investigation, LDWF says
Two men were cited by agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly taking shrimp in state waters near Marsh Island Refuge during a closed season.
According to a press release, Hoang D. Nguyen, 55, of Katy, Texas, and Nile L. Franklin, 52, of Gretna, were cited for taking shrimp in state waters during a closed season on March 17 in Iberia Parish.
Agents allegedly observed the men actively trawling for shrimp inside state waters southeast of Marsh Island Refuge, and boarded the boat and found harvested shrimp as well as shrimp in the trawls, the release states.
The shrimp in the trawls were returned to the water, but agents seized 3,409 pounds of sacked shrimp on board and sold them at the dock, according to the release.
Shrimping during a closed shrimp season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. In addition to any and all other penalties, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer, and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The court shall also sentence the violator to perform 40 hours of community service, the release states.
