A Golden Meadow man was cited yesterday (April 28) for allegedly shirmping during closed season in Lafourche Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.
Toney Morgan Dardar, 51, was cited for using skimmers during a closed season and improper running lights.
LDWF reported that agents responding to reports of illegal shrimping in lower Lafourche Parish during pre-dawn hours observed a vessel occupied by Dardar engaged in skimming near the protection levee by Tidewater. At the time, the vessel was observed without the required running lights.
Agents returned 100 pounds of shrimp to the water and seized the two skimmer nets and vessel.
The penalty for using skimmers in a closed season is a fine up to $950 and/or up to 120 days in jail plus courts costs. In addition to any other penalties, the court could also revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer and 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 by LDWF.
The penalty for improper running lights is a fine of $50 or imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both plus court cost.
