Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited four subjects for alleged shrimping violations on April 21 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Dwayne Trosclair, 50, of Larose, Ernest J. Dion Jr., 33, of Dulac, Larry A. Dion, 58, of Dulac, and Kendy L. Chauvin, 38, of Houma, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Trosclair was also cited for improper boat numbers.
Agents received a tip that a boat was using skimmer nets to actively shrimp an area in Lake Pelto that is currently closed to shrimping. Agents setup surveillance and observed a vessel captained by Trosclair using skimmer nets to actively shrimp in this area.
Agents seized the vessel and skimmer nets on a department seizure order and returned 30 pounds of shrimp back to the water.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system, which is accessible to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.
Operating a vessel with improper boat numbers brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.