Tickets issued early this morning in Plaquemines Parish, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited three men in two separate vessels for alleged shrimping violations early Thursday morning in Bastian Bay.
According to a press release, Daniel Palmisano, 32, of Marrero, John Friedman Jr., 66, and Steve Rodi, 54, both of Buras, were ticketed for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season.
Agents allegedly discovered the vessels actively shrimping in Bastian Bay early this morning, and seized 2,355 pounds of shrimp, which were sold to the highest bidder, the release states.
The spring inshore season for Zone 2 has been closed since June 23, 2017, and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has yet to set an opening date.
Using skimmers in a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized, according to the release.
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 release states.
The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.
