Investigation took place east of Tidewater Canal in Lafourche Parish, LDWF says
An Operation Game Thief complaint led to four citations for alleged oyster violations earlier this week in Lafourche Parish, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Agents responding to complaints of illegal oyster harvesters east of Tidewater Canal cited Micky J. Picou, 35, Rusty J. Authement, 29, both from Montegut; and Steve Leboeuf, 57, and Wiley J. Lebouef, 66, both from Chauvin; for allegedly taking oysters from a polluted area.
Agents seized 13 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water, and also seized the vessel and dredges on a department seizure order, the release states.
Taking oysters from a polluted area brings a $900 to $950 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, according to the release.
