Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents cited six men in three vessels for alleged oyster harvesting violations on Dec. 11 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Danny L. Farkas Jr, 26, of Montegut, and Austin R. Cole, 22, of Chauvin, for taking oysters during a closed season and during illegal hours, taking oysters without a commercial fishing license and without a commercial gear license. Farkas Jr. was also cited for taking oysters without an oyster harvester license and for violating log book requirements.
Agents cited Hermilo Gomez Lura, 29, and Jose Lewis Ramirez, 28, for taking oysters during illegal hours and during a closed season. Lura was also cited for violating log book requirements and running light requirements.
Agents cited Lorenzo Aguilar Lara, 35, and Mavino Aguilar Lara, 36, for taking oysters during a closed season and during illegal hours. Lorenzo Aguilar Lara was also cited for violating log book requirements and running light requirements.
Agents were on patrol on the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation when they found three vessels actively dredging for oysters between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Dec. 11. The Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation is closed for the entire 2018-19 oyster season.
Agents seized a total of 75 sacks of oysters from the three vessels and returned them to the water.
Taking oysters during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during illegal hours and harvesting oysters without an oyster harvester license each carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking oysters without a commercial fishing license and commercial gear license each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Violating the running light requirement brings up to a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail. Violating the log book sanitation code requirements carries up to a $25 fine and up to 10 days in jail.