Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a Metairie man for commercial fishing violations in Orleans Parish on Sept. 7.
Agents arrested Cameron B. Bertoniere, 20, for taking commercial fish without a vessel license, theft of crab traps and operating a watercraft during a license suspension.
Agents were on patrol in the Intracoastal Waterway when they observed a vessel without registration numbers visible. Agents stopped the vessel and made contact with Bertoniere. Agents learned that Bertoniere purchased this vessel in October of 2025 and he has not transferred the registration into his name.
Agents found Bertoniere in possession of 13 crab traps that he said he caught in his nets during commercial shrimping operations. Regulations state that crab traps caught during commercial shrimping must be returned to the water with a float.
During the compliance check, agents found that Bertoniere did not possess a vessel license and was operating the vessel while under a license suspension.
Agents seized 3,826 pounds of shrimp and sold them to the highest bidder.
Theft of crab traps and operating a watercraft while under license suspension carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking commercial fish without a vessel license brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Agents participating in this case are Sgt. Salvador Mangano III and Agent Judah Fields.
