Eight Oyster Harvesters Cited for Theft in Louisiana’s Terrebonne Parish
OutdoorHub 03.09.12
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited eight subjects for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on March 6.
While on oyster-growing-area patrol in Bayou Coyell, agents found four vessels dredging oysters from a private lease without the lease owner’s permission.
Agents cited Dempsey Jackson, 45, from Lake Charles; William Anthony Tillman III, 26, from Sulphur; Rusty Henry, 20, and Dusty Paul Henry, 22, Carolyn Arnold, 27, Harris Guidry Jr., 35, Timothy Blanchard, 26, Cody Lebouef, 22, all from Chauvin; for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission.
Agents seized the boats and dredges and returned 33 sacks of oysters to the water.
Unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine between $900 and $950, up to 120 days in jail and forfeiture of anything seized. Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900 and up to 120 days in jail.
Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF. For that year, the person convicted of these violations shall identify for the department which vessel will be used to harvest oysters.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Bryan Marie and Agent Norman Deroche.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
