Trawl allegedly exceeded maximum size for inside waters, LDWF says
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a commercial fisherman and his deckhand for allegedly using oversized fishing trawls in Lake Borgne on Sunday, according to a press release.
Mike Russell, 56, of New Orleans, and deckhand Bruce Metz, 63, of Slidell, were ticketed for using oversized trawls in inside waters, the release states.
Agents on patrol in Lake Borgne on Dec. 20 allegedly saw Russell’s boat with two 50-foot trawls deployed. The two totaled 100 feet, which exceeds the maximum allowed for inside waters.
Both trawls were seized, along with about 1,000 pounds of fish, according to the release.
Trawling in inside waters with more than a 50-foot trawl brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. The men may also get their trawl, skimmer and butterfly gear licenses suspended for one year, the release states.
And during any suspension, the men may only be on a vessel possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net if the vessel is using an operating vessel monitoring system accessible to LDWF, according to the release.
