Agents Take Down "Operation Red Hook"
DWF News Release Edited by Major Sandy Dares

Colonel Winton Vidrine, chief of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division revealed on December 8, 2003, the details of a sixteen-month undercover investigation of illegal fish transactions. The investigation involved over 40 restaurants and several wholesale/retail seafood dealers alleged to have illegally purchased red fish, red snapper and other recreational fish from undercover agents posing as recreational fishermen.

Agents charged chefs, restaurant owners, managers and seafood dealers with over 300 violations of Louisiana law designed to protect, conserve and manage our states valuable fishery resources.

"Operation Red Hook, involved several undercover agents posing as recreational fisherman selling their fish to restaurants throughout south Louisiana," Vidrine said. During the investigation businesses purchased over 17,000 pounds of fish including 9,722 pounds of red fish, 1,551 pounds of red snapper, 1,001 pounds of spotted seatrout and various other species, which may not be sold by or purchased from recreational fishermen.

"The operation was limited to our availability of fish and identifies the need to increase and maintain adequate enforcement efforts in this area," Vidrine added.

Violations alleged to have been committed during the operation include not having wholesale/retail seafood dealers licenses, failing to maintain records, failing to report fisheries information, buying fish from unlicensed fishermen, purchasing game fish "red drum", purchasing spotted seatrout during closed season and from un-permitted fishermen, violating interstate commerce regulations and violating commission rules and regulations for red snapper, grouper, and cobia. Penalties for each transaction may carry fines up to $1,000, 6 months imprisonment and loss of licenses to operate for license year and one year thereafter.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected in the near future. Agents of region 6, 7, 8, 9 and the Special nvestigations Unit participated in the operation.