LDWF cites 18 for alleged illegal shrimp harvesting since April

More than 6,500 pounds of illegally-taken shrimp seized in nine cases

Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in St. Mary, Terrebonne and LaFourche parishes have made nine cases and seized more than 6,500 pounds of shrimp since April, according to a press release.

On April 1, agents cited Chaz Barrios, 26, of Venice, and Walter Heathcock, 31, of Covington, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 2,228 pounds of shrimp and the shrimp nets.

On May 15, agents cited Wade Lacoste, 46, of Theriot, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season.  Agents seized 149 pounds of shrimp plus the nets.

Agents cited Charlie Billiot, 61, and Ernest Dion Jr., 30, both of Dulac, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,495 pounds of shrimp plus the shrimp nets on June 2.

On June 21, agents cited Ha Nguyen, 41, of San Jose, Calif., and Lau Ho, 50, of Gretna, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,100 pounds of shrimp and the shrimp nets.

Agents cited Gilday Aucoin, 61, of Belle River, and Michael Edwards, 58, of Pierre Part, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 50 pounds of shrimp and their shrimp nets on June 27.

On July 14, agents cited Corey Joseph, 26, of Houma, Rodney Pellegrin Jr., 34, of Houma, and Cilombo Collins, 40, of Houma, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season, and agents seized 86 pounds of shrimp plus shrimp nets.

Agents also cited Aaron Tillman, 40, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., and Easton Rodrigue, 43, of Montegut, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,078 pounds of shrimp and their shrimp nets on July 15.

On July 17, agents cited Marquis Broussard, 39, and Bryce Broussard, 42, both of Montegut, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 193 pounds of shrimp and nets.

Finally on July 21, agents cited Kelly Lebouef, 33, and Sheri Arceneaux, 39, both of Montegut, for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 286 pounds of shrimp and nets.

Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail, according to the release.  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.