Five Cited for Offshore Fishing Violations in Louisiana
OutdoorHub 05.21.12
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited five men for alleged fishing violations on May 15.
At 4:30 p.m., agents boarded the offshore supply vessel, M/V Tristian Janice, that was tied to an offshore platform. Agents found Terry L. Bell, 42, of Livingston, and Zachary J. Thomas, 30, Houston, Texas fishing from the vessel and where fish had been cleaned on the rear deck.
After further investigation, agents found that Bell caught four red snapper and Thomas one red snapper. Bell and Thomas were both cited for possession of red snapper during a closed season. Bell was also cited for over the limit of red snapper.
At 5:45 p.m., agents boarded the F/V Arc Angel, a commercial shrimping vessel. Upon inspection of commercial licenses and permits, agents found that the vessel did not have the required federal shrimping permit to commercially shrimp in federal waters. Agents cited Raymond A. Herrera, 48, of Grand Bay, Ala., for not possessing a federal shrimping permit.
At 6:42 p.m., agents boarded the F/V Manana, a commercial shrimping vessel. Agents found the captain, John C. Aleman, 51, Laguna Vista, Texas, on board and in possession of six red snapper. All of the red snapper on board measured less than the minimum size of 16 inches. Agents cited Aleman for possession of undersized red snapper during a closed season.
The recreational season for red snapper opens June 1, 2012 during which time the limit is two per person.
Taking red snapper during a closed season, taking over the limit of red snapper and taking undersized red snapper each carries a fine up to $350 and up to 60 days in jail. Violating federal shrimping regulations carries a civil fine determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
LDWF maintains a Joint Enforcement Agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NMFS for assistance in patrolling federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. All three vessels boarded were approximately 50 miles offshore in federal waters.
Agents participating in these cases were Lt. Robert Buatt, Sgt. David Sanford, and Senior Agents Anthony Verret and Beau Robertson.
