Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited several recreational shrimpers on the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Vermilion and Cameron parishes over the past several days.
Extra patrols were coordinated near Rollover and Joseph’s Harbor in response to complaints of cast netters violating refuge regulations and selling some of the catch.
On Sept. 30 agents cited Philip K. Breaux, 62, of Youngsville for selling shrimp that he caught from the refuge.
On Oct. 5 agents cited Justin R. Choate, 42, of Pecan Island, and Jonathan Goudeaux, 54, of Lafayette, were each cited for taking over the limit of shrimp.
Agents cited Rodney L. Broussard, 62, and Brenda L. Broussard, 54, both from Henderson, Nicholas J. Touchet, 37, of Abbeville, Barrett Beraud, 38, of Maurice, and Jason S. Royston, 45, of Lafayette, for entering the refuge before legal sunrise on Oct. 6. Also on Oct. 6, agents cited Steven D. Johnson, 39, and Gerald J. Constantin, 66, both from Rayne, and Bernard J. Constantin, 64, of Crowley, for taking over the limit of shrimp.
On Oct. 8 agents cited Woodrow J. Goodly, 64, of Lafayette, and Philip R. Duos, 50 of Crowley, for taking over the limit of shrimp.
Agents seized a total of 228.5 pounds of shrimp in connection with the over-limit violations and donated them to a local charity.
Cast netters are not allowed on the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge before legal sunrise and are allowed 25 pounds of shrimp per day during an inside open shrimp season. The shrimp can only be used for personal consumption or bait for sport fishing.
Selling fish caught recreationally brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. In addition, a person shall forfeit his fishing license, and he shall not be issued a recreational license of any type and shall be barred from participating in any type of recreational fishing for a period of one year from the date of conviction.
Taking over the limit of shrimp or entering the refuge before legal sunrise carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.