LDWF: Incident occurred in Bayou Biloxi in Plaquemines Parish
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a 65-year-old St. Bernard man for alleged commercial crabbing violations on Monday.
According to a press release, agents on patrol in Bayou Biloxi in Plaquemines Parish made contact with Robert Lopez for a license and creel check, and ultimately cited him for possessing over 20 percent undersized crabs and possessing immature female crabs.
Commercial fishermen are allotted a 10 percent incidental take of undersized crabs, and a 2 percent incidental take of immature female crabs for the total number of crabs in their possession, the release states.
Agents sampled each of Lopez’s crates and determined the three crates allegedly contained 24 percent, 30 percent and 32 percent of undersized crabs. Agents also discovered that one of the crates allegedly contained 6 percent of immature female crabs, according to the release.
Agents seized approximately 180 pounds of crabs and returned them to the water, the release states.
Possessing over 20 percent undersized crabs carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking immature female crabs brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail, according to the release.
