Incident occurred in Barataria Waterway near Lafitte, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a 33-year-old Jefferson Parish man for alleged fishing violations Saturday in the Barataria Waterway.
According to a press release, Keith Camper, of Marrero, was ticketed for possessing undersized redfish, using crab traps without markings, violating crab trap escape ring requirements, violating recreational gear requirements and taking gamefish illegally.
While on patrol, agents observed Camper operating a boat with several crab traps on-board. They made contact and found him in possession of 11 traps, which he admitted to fish, according to the release. There were no visible markings on any of the traps, which contained only two escape rings, the release states.
Camper was allegedly in possession of 47 blue crabs and one undersized redfish that were all caught in the traps, according to the release. The redfish was seized and donated and the crabs were returned to the water, the release states.
All crab traps, including those deemed as recreational, must have a minimum of three escape rings. Recreational crab traps also require markings sufficient to enable agents to clearly identify the traps, including the license number of the owner. Recreational crab fishermen are also limited to fishing 10 traps per day per licensed fisherman. Furthermore, red drum may not be retained as by-catch and are still subject to applicable size limits, the release states.
Using crab traps without required markings, violating crab trap escape ring requirements and taking gamefish illegally each carry a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense, according to the release. Taking and possessing undersized redfish carries $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Violating recreational gear requirements brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail, the release states.
