More than 1,200 pounds of shrimp seized and sold at the dock, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two men for alleged shrimping violations during a closed season last week in Plaquemines Parish.
According to a news release, agents cited Marvin Smith, 58, of Venice, and Etienne Pellegal III, 56, of Boothville, on May 4 for using skimmers to harvest shrimp during a closed season in the Yellow Cotton Bay area.
Agents allegedly observed the men actively shrimping late that morning, and ultimately seized 1,291 pounds of shrimp and sold them at the dock to the highest bidder, the release states. The Louisiana spring inshore shrimp season was closed at the time of the stop.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season carries a fine up to $950 and up to 120 days in jail. Additionally, if convicted the men could be sentenced to harvest shrimp only from a vessel with an approved vessel monitoring system monitored by LDWF, according to the release.
