Off-duty game warden witnesses alleged fishing violations

Metairie men ticketed after keeping 31 redfish, LDWF says

After an off-duty game warden witnessed two Metairie men fishing from the bank near Montegut last weekend, the pair was cited for numerous redfish and drum violations.

According to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Jorge Cabrera, 26, and Juan Ciprian, 28, were ticketed for possessing over the limit of black drum and redfish, possessing undersized black drum and redfish and possessing an undersized mangrove snapper.

The incident occurred when Lt. Joseph Arnaud was off duty fishing in the area on Saturday and allegedly witnessed Cabrera and Ciprian taking undersized fish, the release states. Arnaud contacted on-duty agents, who performed a creel check on the men and found them in possession of 31 redfish (29 of which were undersized), 13 black drum (10 of which were undersized) and one undersized mangrove.

The fish were seized and donated to a local charity, according to the release.

Taking over the limit of redfish brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Possessing undersized redfish and black drum, possessing undersized mangrove snapper and possessing over the limit of black drum each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 30 days in jail for each offense.  The men also face additional criminal fines totaling $1,250 for the undersized and over the limit reds.

The men may also be assessed civil restitution up to $850 for the replacement value of the illegally taken fish.