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AUGUST 2007 NEWS |
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L.D.W.F. INTRODUCES PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE LOANER PROGRAM
COMPLAINT LEADS L.D.W.F. AGENTS TO THEFT VIOLATIONS IN
LOWER TERREBONNE PARISH LOUISIANA MAN CITED FOR TAKING ALLIGATOR DURING A CLOSED SEASON
L.D.W.F. INTRODUCES PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE LOANER PROGRAM The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) Enforcement Division announced today a new boating safety program designed to alert boat operators of a safety violation and keep them on the water at the same time. Beginning in August, Enforcement Division patrol vessels will carry extra personal flotation devices (PFDs) to be use as loaners when agents encounter a vessel not in compliance with PFD requirements. A written warning citation may be issued to first offense boat operators violating PFD requirements. Agents will then loan a PFD to the operator with instructions to return the life vest to the department within 10 days. “Our goal is to educate boaters on boating safety regulations in place to assure their safety and allow them to remain on the water and enjoy their day when it is possible to bring the vessel in compliance,” said LDWF Col. Winton Vidrine. If the PFD is not returned to the Enforcement Division within 10 days, the agent will void the warning citation and issue the operator a criminal citation for the PFD violation. The date of violation on the class one citation will be the same date that was on the warning citation. Statistics show that nearly 70 percent of the boating fatalities in Louisiana are due to drowning and nearly 80 percent of those victims were not wearing a life jacket. For more information on safe boating practices, regulations, or boating education courses, please visit LDWF’s Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov
COMPLAINT LEADS L.D.W.F. AGENTS TO THEFT VIOLATIONS IN LOWER TERREBONNE PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited seven men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on July 18. Responding to a complaint, agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force found two vessels dredging oysters from a private lease without the lease owner's permission. The men were identified as Luis Rangel Cabrera, 28, Miguel Gonzalez Ayala, 37, Efrin Rangel Cabrera, 35, all from League City, Texas; Samuel C. Dobson, 27, Tomas Rivas, 22, Juan Manuel Rivera Jr., 28, all from Houma, Louisiana; and Joseph C. Verdin, 51, from Dularge, Louisiana. Agents cited the men for
unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written
permission. The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine between $900 and $950, or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine between $400 to $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Agent participating in case was Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Mike Garrity.
MAN CITED FOR VIOLATING ALLIGATOR FARMING REGULATIONS IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Plaquemines Parish resident for violating Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) rules and regulations pertaining to the alligator-farming program. Rusty John Cavalier, 41, of Belle Chasse, was cited for allegedly failing to return farm-raised alligators to the land where their eggs were collected. Agents received information about numerous small dead alligators at the location of a boat launch in the Hero Canal in Belle Chasse shortly after the release of the alligators on May 22. Agents discovered and retrieved LDWF tag numbers from alligators at the site. The tags were traced by LDWF Fur and Refuge Division personnel, who oversee Louisiana’s alligator program. The alligators were tagged for release on lands held by Cavalier. After being interviewed, Cavalier informed the agents that he released 280 alligators at Hero Canal. Approximately 224 of the alligators were tagged for release on 10 other sites. Alligator farmers are allowed to remove a pre-determined number of eggs from lands with suitable alligator population and raise the alligators hatched from the eggs on their farms. A percentage of the farm-raised alligators are required to be returned to the lands within a two-year period from hatching and after reaching a length of about 48 inches. LWFC rules and regulations stipulate the responsibility of the landowner to return the alligators to the original area where the eggs were gathered. If convicted for the alleged rules and regulations violation, the penalty for not returning the alligators to the land where the eggs were taken are fines up to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both, and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Agents participating in this case were Lt. Robert Martin, Cpt. Brian Clark, Sgts. Scot Keller and Adam Young, Senior Agents Gary Pierce, Robert Cosse, Roy Pier and Villere Reggio III, and Agent Timothy Fox.
LOUISIANA MAN CITED FOR TAKING ALLIGATOR DURING A CLOSED SEASON Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Jeremy Boyd D’Amico, 34, of Morganza, for taking alligators during a closed season on July 5. A 12 foot alligator was found floating dead in a pit near Morganza in Pointe Coupee Parish and was reported to the department. After investigating the incident, agents found that D’Amico had actually shot and killed the alligator on the July 2. A 30-06 rifle was seized from D’Amico in connection with the case. D’Amico was additionally cited for civil restitution in the amount of $420 for replacement value of the alligator. The alligator had to be discarded due to decomposition. Taking alligators during a closed season carries a fine ranging from $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus costs of court and forfeiture of anything seized. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Brad Garon and Agent Thomas Ashley. |