Men were using skimmers during a closed season, LDWF says
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two men for allegedly using skimmers for shrimp during a closed season on April 8 out of Buras.
According to a news release, John Berthelot, 37, of Convington, and Juan Cruz, 38, of Marrero, were cited in the case. Berthelot was also ticketed for improper navigation lights.
Agents allegedly found the men actively shrimping without navigation lights about 10:30 p.m. in the English Bay area, the release states.
The Louisiana spring inshore shrimp season is currently closed. Agents seized 15 pounds of shrimp and returned them to the water, according to the release.
Using skimmers during a closed season carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Additionally, if convicted the men could be sentenced to harvest shrimp only from a vessel with an approved vessel monitoring system monitored by LDWF. Improper navigation lights carries a $50 fine and up to 15 days of jail, the release states.
