Separate incidents occurred in St. Bernard, Plaquemines parishes
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited six men in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes this week for alleged shrimping violations.
On Aug. 1, agents cited Ernie P. Barthélemy, 52, of Slidell, and Jimmy Lynn Merrick, 55, of Boothville, for using skimmers in a closed season in the Buras area, according to a release.
During the stop, agents seized 300 pounds of shrimp that was later sold, the release states.
On Aug. 2 in Lake Borgne near the Rigolets, agents cited Joe Tran, 48, Duc Le, 48, Tri Le, 55, and Phung Hoang, 59, for trawling in a closed season, according to the release.
Agents seized 6,100 pounds of shrimp from that vessel and sold them to the highest bidder, the release states.
Using skimmers in a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized.
In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer, or 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 violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service, according to the release.
