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JUNE 2004 NEWS |
SHRIMP SEASON CLOSES IN ZONE 1
LAPLACE MAN CITED FOR ALLIGATOR POSSESSION
TWO LAFOURCHE MEN CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON SHRIMPING
VIOLET MAN SENTENCED IN BROWN PELICAN SHOOTING
MAN SENTENCED FOR KILLING FRANKLIN'S GULLS
SALINE AND IATT LAKE CLOSURES POSTPONED
SHRIMP SEASON CLOSES IN ZONE 3
SHRIMPERS CITED IN INDUSTRIAL CANAL
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR LOTTERY DOVE HUNT
MEN CITED FOR OYSTER THEFT IN TERREBONNE PARISH
LORANGER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL RABBIT HUNTING
EIGHT CITED FOR VIOLATIONS ON SALVADOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
DUCK HUNTERS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT
TWO OAKDALE MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL GAME VIOLATIONS
CHANGES MADE TO 2004-05 HUNTING SEASONS PROPOSALS
COMMISSION MODIFIES RECREATIONAL SPOTTED SEATROUT REGULATIONS
IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
FOUR CITED FOR OVERSIZED TRAWLS
FLIGHT FROM WILDLIFE AGENT LEADS TO ARREST ON WMA
TWO SENTENCED FOR EVANGELINE PARISH WATERFOWL VIOLATIONS
RAPIDES PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR DWI AND CARELESS OPERATION OF A BOAT
SHRIMP SEASON CLOSES IN ZONE 1
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau
today announced the closure of the 2004 spring shrimp season in inside
waters within portions of Shrimp Management Zone 1. Zone 1 is that portion
of Louisiana's inside waters from the Mississippi-Louisiana state line to
the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River.
Zone 1 will close at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, except for that portion of
Mississippi Sound originating at a point along the Mississippi-Louisiana territorial sea boundary at longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds west,
thence due south to a position at latitude 30 degrees 05 minutes 00 seconds
north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds west thence
southeasterly to the U.S. Coast Guard navigational light off the eastern
shore of Three-Mile Pass at latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 12 seconds north
and longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds west thence northeasterly to
a position which intersects the menhaden line as described in the Menhaden
Rule (LAC 76:VII, 307D) north of Isle au Pitre at latitude 30 degrees 10
minutes 00 seconds west. The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds
as described in the Menhaden Rule, will also remain open to shrimping until
further notice.
The closure was based on recommendations made by LDWF Marine Fisheries
Division biologists. The relative number, percentage and distribution of
small white shrimp immigrating into the areas to be closed has increased
substantially in the past week and the region is being closed to protect
these developing shrimp. Keith Ibos, Biologist Supervisor of the region,
advises shrimpers that boundaries of the area to be extended in Mississippi,
Breton and Chandeleur Sounds rely largely on positions located in open water
rather than traditional coastal geographic features. Colonel Winton
Vidrine, Chief of the Enforcement Division, encourages shrimpers to utilize
electronic navigational equipment to monitor their positions while operating
within the open areas, as compliance levels will be closely monitored. In
recent years, shrimp season extensions using area boundaries determined
largely by open water positions have become more frequently used as a
management tool by the Department. Provided no biological or enforcement
problems develop, these management concepts may allow for the possible
expansion of season extensions in other coastal areas thereby providing the
shrimp fishery with added economic opportunities.
Shrimpers are advised that the Department may take emergency action to end
the season extension should biological data indicate the need to do so or if
enforcement problems develop. Effective 6:00 a.m. July 6, all inshore waters
from the Mississippi-Louisiana state to the Louisiana-Texas state line,
except for a portion of Mississippi Sound and the open waters of Breton and
Chandeleur Sound are closed to the harvest of shrimp. State territorial
waters seaward of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line, as described in Louisiana
R.S. 56:495, will remain open to shrimping.
LAPLACE MAN CITED FOR ALLIGATOR POSSESSION On June 18th, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited Calvin Simoneaux, 44, of LaPlace, for allegedly possessing a live alligator without permit and using an untagged turtle trap.
Simoneaux was issued the citations in LaPlace in St. John Parish after agents saw a live alligator and a turtle trap in the bed of his truck. The alligator, about four feet in length, was seized and returned to the wild. The turtle trap was seized and will be held as evidence.
The penalty for possessing a live alligator without a permit is a fine of up to $500, jail for not more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Using untagged turtle traps carries a $50 fine.
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Davis Madere and Cadet William Boyd.
TWO LAFOURCHE MEN CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON SHRIMPING On June 18th, enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two Lafourche Parish men for allegedly shrimping during close season. The shrimp season for inside waters in zone 2 closed at 6:00 a.m. on June 16.
Randy Boudreaux, 43, and Whitney Adams, 42, both of Racelend, were each cited for using skimmer nets in close season. Agents saw the two using a 38-foot shrimping vessel equipped with two 16-foot by 12-foot skimmer nets to take shrimp in the Texaco Canal near Catfish Lake in Lafourche Parish.
The vessel was seized on a state seizure order. The nets and 10 pounds of shrimp were seized. The shrimp were returned to the water. The nets will be held pending disposition of the case.
If convicted, the two face fines of up to $750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs and possible forfeiture of anything seized.
Participating in this case were Senior Agents Max Dupre and Thomas Dewitt.
VIOLET MAN SENTENCED IN BROWN PELICAN SHOOTING Colby R. Guerra, 19, of Violet appeared before U.S. Magistrate Louis Moore in U.S. Magistrate Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans and entered a plea of guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act. Guerra was cited on January 4, after an Eastern Brown Pelican was shot in St. Bernard Parish.
Magistrate Moore accepted the guilty plea on June 16 and sentenced Guerra to pay a fine of $1000, plus a special assessment fee of $25. Guerra's hunting privileges were revoked for two years, and he was placed on one year of active probation.
The case was the result of a joint operation initiated when Enforcement Division agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries responded to a call from the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office of someone shooting brown pelicans on the Violet levee. When agents arrived, they apprehended three subjects, including Guerra, and seized a shotgun, seven spent shotgun cartridges, and one brown pelican.
A joint investigation by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and LDWF resulted in
charges being
filed against Guerra for killing the brown pelican, the Louisiana
Agents and officers participating in the investigation were Captain Brian Clark, Sergeant Scot Keller, Senior Agents Adam Young, Todd Laviolette, Jason Gernados, and Mike Garrity; US Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Stephen Clark; and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office Sergeants Dave Esteve and Anthony Romano.
MAN SENTENCED FOR KILLING FRANKLIN'S GULLS Kent I. Thibodeaux, 24, of Morse, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Mildred Methvin in U.S. Magistrate Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette on June 23 and entered a plea of guilty to taking non-game birds. Thibodeaux had been cited on May 3 in Acadia Parish for killing 22 Franklin's gulls. The gulls are federally protected birds and may not be taken at any time.
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saw Thibodeaux shooting at blackbirds from Highway 92 and cited him for hunting or discharging a firearm from a public road. They then found the dead gulls in the field next to where Thibodeaux was shooting the blackbirds. He admitted to shooting the gulls a few days earlier.
Magistrate Methvin accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Thibodeaux to pay a fine of $1860. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Agents
participating in the case were Sergeants Robert Buatt and Edwin Broussard,
SALINE AND IATT LAKE CLOSURES POSTPONED Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau has announced that the scheduled closures of Saline and Iatt lakes have been postponed. The lakes were scheduled to close on July 5 to all fishing activities. The lakes are now scheduled to close on Monday, August 2.
The department devised a plan to drawdown the lakes in order to do work to reduce aquatic vegetation on the lakes. The lakes were to be closed to the public during the drawdowns. However, due to heavy rains and high water levels, the closures have been postponed to the later date. The scheduled plan will go into effect with the August 2 closures. The lakes will remain closed until the department announces that the water levels have returned to pool stage, which will be sometime after October 31.
SHRIMP SEASON CLOSES IN ZONE 3 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau today announced the closure of the 2004 spring shrimp season in inside waters within portions of Shrimp Management Zone 3. Zone 3 is that portion of Louisiana's inside waters from the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island to the Louisiana-Texas state line.
Zone 3 will close at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, except for that portion of the Calcasieu Ship Channel originating at Channel Marker 68 southward to a point along the inside/outside shrimp line at Calcasieu Pass and including East Pass from its origin at the Calcasieu Ship Channel to the south end of Calcasieu Lake and West Pass from its origin at the Calcasieu Ship Channel to the south end of West Cove which will remain open until Tuesday, July 6, at 6:00 a.m.
The closure was based on recommendations made by LDWF Marine Fisheries Division biologists. The relative number, percentage and distribution of small white shrimp immigrating into the areas to be closed has increased substantially in the past week and the region is being closed to protect these developing shrimp. According to Michael Harbison, Biologist Supervisor of the region, the seven-day season extension limited to the Calcasieu Ship Channel should provide shrimpers with opportunities to harvest immigrating brown shrimp during a period of high tidal ranges predicted for the next full moon. Shrimpers are advised that the Department may take emergency action to end the season extension should biological data indicate the need to do so or if enforcement problems develop. Effective 6:00 a.m. July 6, all inshore waters from the South Pass of the Mississippi River to the Louisiana-Texas state line, except for a portion of the Calcasieu Ship Channel are closed to the harvest of shrimp. Zone 1 will remain open until further notice State territorial waters south of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line, as described in Louisiana R.S. 56:495, will remain open to shrimping.
SHRIMPERS CITED IN INDUSTRIAL CANAL Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited 13 commercial shrimpers on June 14 for allegedly shrimping in the Industrial Canal in New Orleans. The Industrial Canal is closed to commercial and recreational fishing for navigation and security reasons.
Roger Patingo, 31, Michael Bruney, 37, Thomas Landa, Jr., 36, William Vila, 46, Dean Martin, 39, and Alphonse Graffia III, 35, all from Chalmette; Travis Davis, 31, and Glen Jones, Jr., 28, both from New Orleans; Jason Cutrer, 31, Bobby Lovell, 29, and Kirk Ranko, 34, all from Meraux; Sean Wool, 18, of Gretna; and Richard Boudreaux, 47, of Slidell were each cited for one count of shrimping in a restricted area.
Agents responding to complaints that commercial fishing activity was occurring in the canal allegedly watched several vessels using butterfly nets to catch shrimp. The agents apprehended the 13 subjects and seized seven sets of butterfly nets and 200 pounds of shrimp.
The penalty for shrimping in a restricted area is fine of up to $750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Gary Pierce, Kris Bourgeois, Rachel Zechenelly, Jason Gernados, and Adam Young, and Agent Scott Jeannsonne.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR LOTTERY DOVE HUNT Applications are being accepted for an opening day lottery dove hunt scheduled for September 4 on the Bayou Pierre Wildlife Management Area. The opening day hunt will be limited to 75 hunters who will be selected by random drawing. Dove hunters wanting to apply for the drawing can obtain an application from any regional office of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or the department website at www.wlf.state.la.us.
Hunters may apply individually or as a group with no more than five applications per group. Group applications should be stapled together. Grouped applications will be drawn as a group. A $5.00 administrative fee will be charged for each applicant, regardless of age. Applications must be accompanied by a check or money order made payable to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The administrative fee is non-refundable. The deadline for returning the applications to the address listed on the application is July 23, 2004.
Steve Hebert, Region I Wildlife Division Supervisor explained the reasons for recommending the lottery hunt. "Last year, after thousands of doves were attracted to the fields, approximately 400 eager hunters showed up opening day. We hope that by using a lottery hunt for the first day hunters will enjoy a quality hunt in a safe environment. We also anticipate that by reducing the hunting pressure on the first day, the doves will continue to use the fields in the following days."
WMA Supervisor Don Carpenter and Wildlife Technician Larry Waldron have worked long hours managing approximately 100 acres of dove fields that have attracted increasing numbers of doves over the last five years. Hebert continued, "As of early June, the winter wheat has headed out and sunflowers are knee high. Small flocks of resident doves are already using the fields. If we have typical summer weather the fields should be in good shape for the opening day hunt."
Bayou Pierre WMA encompasses 2,212 acres of former agricultural fields and is located in Red River and Desoto parishes, approximately 20 miles south of Shreveport. In addition to the managed dove fields, larger portions of the area are being reforested in hardwoods. Several wetland areas have also been developed to provide habitat for resident and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Bayou Pierre WMA is closed to waterfowl hunting, but waterfowl hunting opportunities may be offered in the future. Archery-only deer hunting, small game hunting and year-around bird watching opportunities are available on the WMA. Anyone wanting additional information about the lottery hunt or Bayou Pierre WMA can refer to the LDWF website. They can also contact Steve Hebert at 318/371-3050 (shebert@wlf.louisiana.gov). MEN CITED FOR OYSTER THEFT IN TERREBONNE PARISH
On June 9, agents of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division's Oyster Strike Force cited three men for alleged
oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish.
While on oyster growing area patrol in Moss Bay located in lower Terrebonne
Parish, the agents found the three men dredging oysters from a private lease
without permission from the owner. The men were identified as Joseph
Sterling Billiot, 28, Percy Bernard Dardar 3rd, 23, and Danny Joseph Dardar,
18, all from Montegut.
They were cited for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease. In
addition, Billiot was cited for failure to have written permission.
Ten sacks of oysters were seized in connection with the violation. The boat
and dredge were placed under LDWF seizure order.
The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine of
$900 to $950, imprisonment for not more than 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 of $400 to $750,
jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents participating in case were Lt. Stephen McManus and Sgt. Bryan Marie.
LORANGER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL RABBIT HUNTING
On June 10, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division cited Danny Bossier, 43, of Loranger for three alleged
hunting violations.
Bossier was issued citations in St. John Parish for hunting rabbits during
closed season, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public road.
He was apprehended on Highway 51 near Ruddock after agents allegedly saw him
fire an air rifle from the window of his pick-up truck. He was found in possession of
a freshly killed rabbit, which was seized. An air rifle was also seized.
These violations are all Class 3 offenses for which the penalty is a fine of $250 to $500,
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Davis Madere and Cadet William Boyd.
EIGHT CITED FOR VIOLATIONS ON SALVADOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Eight men have been cited for violating wildlife management area regulations
and boating safety laws in three separate incidents on the Salvador Wildlife
Management Area in St. Charles Parish. Two were arrested when they fled from
agents and dumped evidence.
Neil P. Theriot, 43, of Avondale and Rockie Forrest, 49, of Bridge City were
cited on June 10 for violating the rules and regulations of a wildlife
management area by frogging and by being on the management area at night.
Theriot was additionally cited for operating a motorboat without navigation
lights. Twenty-two frogs were seized and returned to the water.
Jason Foster, 21, and Michael Foster, 17, both from Des Allemands, Cade
Jeffers, 18, of Paradis, and Shane Fontenot, 17, of Luling, were cited on
June 11 for violating the rules and regulations of a wildlife management
area by frogging and by being on the management area at night. Jason Foster
was additionally cited for no running lights, no sound producing device and
failing to comply with PFD (life jacket) requirements. Eighty-five frogs
were seized and returned to the water.
Joseph Roth Jr., 54, of Lafitte and Phillip Roth, 50, of Bridge City were
arrested on June 12 when they fled from agents patrolling Salvador WMA for
illegal froggers. They were apprehended and booked into the St. Charles
Parish Jail for flight from an officer, violating the rules and regulations
of a wildlife management area by frogging and by being on the management
area at night. During the chase the agents saw them dump an ice chest of
frogs overboard. One frog was seized and returned to the water.
The Salvador Wildlife Management Area is closed to all nighttime activities,
and hunting frogs is specifically prohibited. Violations of the rules and
regulations of a wildlife management area are Class Two offenses for which
the penalty for each count is a fine of $150 to $350, jail for not more than
60 days, or both, plus court costs.
Boating violations, such as operating without running lights, no sound
producing device and failing to comply with PFD requirements, are Class One
offenses for which the penalty for each count is a civil fine of $50,
payable to the department.
Whoever commits the crime of flight from an officer shall be fined no more
than $500, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Participating in these cases were Senior Agents George Robinson and Jeff
Robinson.
DUCK HUNTERS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT
Five hunters entered guilty pleas to violations of federal migratory game
bird laws before United States Magistrate C. Michael Hill on May 26th in
federal court in Lafayette. The pleas were entered in response to citations
issued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents during the 2003-2004 hunting season.
Ty Martin, 33, of St. Martinville, Travis Martin, 22, of St. Martinville,
Rusty Laviolatte, 21, of Youngsville, and Lori Louviere, 24, of New Iberia
were each sentenced to pay a fine of $260 for hunting migratory game birds
during illegal hours. Kevin Louviere, 41, of New Iberia was sentenced to
pay a fine of $310 for hunting migratory game birds during illegal hours.
Prosecuting the cases for the government was Assistant United States
Attorney Joe Mikel. Agents participating in the cases were Sergeant
Mitchell Darby and Senior Agent Brian Theriot.
TWO OAKDALE MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL GAME VIOLATIONS
Guy Mitchell Stephenson, 40, and Dustin Wayne Stephenson, 18, both from
Oakdale, appeared before U.S. Magistrate C. Michael Hill in the Western
District of Louisiana in Lafayette on May 26 and entered pleas of guilty to
hunting migratory game birds during illegal hours. Additionally, Guy
Stephenson entered pleas of guilty to hunting migratory game birds with
an unplugged shotgun and aiding and abetting a juvenile in hunting
migratory game birds during illegal hours. The men had been cited on January 1 in
Evangeline Parish.
Magistrate Hill accepted the guilty pleas and sentenced Dustin Stephenson to
pay a fine of $310. He sentenced Guy Stephenson to pay a fine of $1,480.
United States Assistant Attorney Joe Mickel prosecuted the cases.
In connection with the federal case, Dustin Stephenson had been cited with a
state violation for hunting without a non-resident hunting license. He pled
guilty on March 22 before Judge Larry Vidrine of the 13th Judicial District
Court in Evangeline Parish and was sentenced to $350 in fines and $121.50
courts cost, or to serve 15 days in jail. Evangeline Parish Assistant
District Attorney Trent Brignac prosecuted the case for the state.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Scott Fontenot and Lieutenant
CHANGES MADE TO 2004-05 HUNTING SEASONS PROPOSALS
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted at their June 8
meeting to make a few more final adjustments to the 2004-05 Louisiana
Hunting Seasons proposal. The notice of intent, which outlines all of the
season dates, is scheduled to be ratified by the commission at their July 1
meeting.
Jimmy Anthony, of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
presented the commission with items that he referred to as "housekeeping
items" that needed to be addressed because of prior changes made by the
commission. The first item referred to a move that was made to extend
squirrel hunting with dogs to February 28. The commission amended the
notice to extend the squirrel season on the 24 wildlife management areas
that allow squirrel hunting with dogs.
The commission also set the hunting seasons for Jean Lafitte National Park
because it had been inadvertently left out of the original notice. The
seasons were set as follows: Archery, either sex, Oct. 23 to Nov. 24 and
December 4 to 5; Archery, antlered only, Nov. 25 to Dec. 3l, Dec. 6 to
19
and Jan. 1 to 16; Shotgun, either sex, Nov. 23 to 24 and Dec. 4 to 5;
Shotgun, antlered only, Nov. 25 to Dec. 3, Dec. 6 to 19, and Jan. 1 to 16;
Small game, Oct. 25 to Dec. 19 and Jan. 1 to 16; Trapping, Nov. 22 to Mar.
31, 2005. Stands are to be removed from the park by 5:00 p.m. January
30, 2005.
Adjustments were also made to the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge.
The archery dates were changed to November 13 through January 2 and January
17 through February 15. The muzzleloader season was also changed to Dec.
11-12, January 8-9 and January 15-16.
COMMISSION MODIFIES RECREATIONAL SPOTTED SEATROUT REGULATIONS
IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission ratified a rule modifying
recreational harvest regulations for spotted seatrout at its June 8, 2004
meeting. Effective June 20, 2004, a fisherman may not keep more than two
spotted seatrout larger than 25 inches in parts of southwest Louisiana.
The final rule reads as follows: Except as provided in R.S.56:325.1, within
those areas of the state, including coastal territorial waters, south of
Interstate 10 from its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to
its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, and then south
to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown south to
Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove, and
then due south to the western shore of the Mermentau River, following this
shoreline south to the junction with the Gulf of Mexico, and then due south
to the limit of the state territorial sea, no person shall possess,
regardless of where taken, more than two (2) spotted seatrout exceeding
twenty-five inches (25") total length. The spotted seatrout exceeding
twenty-five inches (25") in length shall be considered as part of the daily
recreational bag limit and possession limit.
The final rule will become effective on June 20, 2004. All other applicable
rules regarding the harvest of spotted seatrout, established by the
Commission shall be in effect, including existing size restriction that
requires all spotted seatrout retained recreationally to be at least 12 inches.
FOUR CITED FOR OVERSIZED TRAWLS
On Monday, May 24, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division agents cited four commercial fishermen for using
oversized trawls in outside state waters in St. Mary Parish.
Tam V. Nguyen, 40, Hung Nguyen, 18, Tuan Nguyen, 33, all of Abbeville, and
Hoang Nguyen, 23, of Baton Rouge, were all cited for using trawls that
exceed the size requirements in state outside waters.
Agents patrolling state waters off the coast of St. Mary Parish observed the
shrimp vessel "Elizabeth T" engaged in trawling. The vessel was boarded
and the trawls measured. The "Elizabeth T" was using four 42-foot trawls,
totaling 168 feet and exceeding the legal maximum by 38 feet. The maximum
legal corkline in state outside waters is 130 feet. The trawls were seized,
along 8,408 pounds of shrimp. The shrimp were sold and the proceeds from
this sale will be held in escrow until the disposition of the case.
The penalty using oversized trawls in outside waters is a fine of up to
$750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs. These
citations are being filed in the 16th Judicial District Court in St. Mary Parish.
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