Incidents occurred in Bay Antoine and Bayou Faleau, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited six men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne and LaFourche parishes, according to a news release.
On Sept. 18, agents cited Dustin M. Buquet, 18, Richardo Najera-Morales, 25, and Cline J. Ledet, 29, all from Chauvin, for taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area in Bay Antoine in Terrebonne Parish.
On Sept. 22, Dillon J. Verdin, 23, of Cutoff, and Alexei B. Vargas, 21, and Holden D. Verdin, 21, both of Houma, were also cited for taking oysters from an unapproved area in Bayou Faleau in LaFourche Parish.
According to the release, both areas are closed to oystermen by the Department of Health and Hospitals because of pollution.
Both vessels were seized along with the oyster dredges, and 30 sacks of oysters were returned to the water.
Taking oysters from a polluted area brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. In addition, the men could be sentenced to serve 40 hours community service and be required to only harvest oysters from a vessel that is equipped with a vessel monitoring system, the release states.
