Agents seize 17 sacks of oysters in Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two men on Wednesday for alleged oyster violations in Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs in Plaquemines Parish, according to a news release.
Derrick Bennett, 28, of Violet, and Nicholas Hoey, 37, of Poydras, were cited for taking oysters from a polluted area and from an unleased state water bottom, the release states.
Agents seized 17 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water, and also seized the pair’s oyster dredge. The vessel involved also was seized on a department seizure order, the release states.
Taking oysters from a polluted area carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail, while taking oysters from an unleased state water bottom carries a $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail, according to the release.
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, the release states.
