Incidents happened during the last week in Terrebonne Parish, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in Terrebonne Parish cited nine men for allegedly shrimping during a closed season.
According to a press release, on July 31 about 2:30 a.m., agents found three boats allegedly using skimmer nets.
Agents cited Jeremy Bourg Jr., 19, of Chauvin, and John N. Bourg, 48, of Houma, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 1,782 pounds of shrimp. Adrian J. Lovell, 30, of Houma, and Rich J. Verrett, 49, of Houma, also were cited for using skimmer nets during a closed season and 200 pounds of shrimp were seized. Agents also cited Shawn M. Parfait, 40, of Houma, and Kent J. Guidroz, Jr., 33, of Dulac, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 36 pounds of shrimp, the release states.
On Aug. 1 at 1:30 a.m., agents cited Roy C. Marris Jr., 57, of Westwego, Glenn A. Barrett, 22, of Gretna and David J Jeblonski, 25, of Marrero, for using skimmer nets during a closed season and seized 614 pounds of shrimp. Marris also was cited for failing to have running lights.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to have running lights brings up to a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail, the release states.
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, according to the release.
