Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents cited three men for alleged commercial fishing violations in in Plaquemines Parish on Feb. 7.
Agents cited Thanh Dang, 45, and Khai Bui, 62, both of Biloxi, Miss., and Phong Thai, 53, of Gautier, Miss., for taking commercial fish without a commercial fisherman’s license.
Agents were on patrol when they boarded a vessel with the three subjects on board in the Mississippi River near Pilottown for a commercial license and turtle excluder device inspection. Upon boarding the vessel the Captain, Thanh Dang, produced commercial fishing licenses for another person who was not on board the vessel. Agents also found that none of the men possessed non-resident commercial licenses for the 2023 fishing year.
Agents cited the men for taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license and seized 28,876 pounds of shrimp that were sold then sold to the highest bidder.
Taking commercial fish without a commercial license carries a $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Villere Reggio, Lt. Adam Young, Sgt. Jason Gernados, Sgt. Kyle Wagner, Corporal Blaine Wagner, Corporal Austin Landry and Agent Heather Fitzgerald. This case will be forwarded to District Attorney Charles Ballay for prosecution.