Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two oyster fishermen for alleged oyster violations on June 30 in Lafourche Parish.
Agents cited Luis Diego Rodriquez, 20, and Mendez Castro Anceto, 19, both from Houma, for taking oysters from a polluted area.
Agents responded to complaints they received in the Tidewater area east of Bayou Lafourche. Using aerial surveillance, agents observed and recorded Rodriquez and Anceto illegally dredging for oysters in polluted waters.
Agents seized five sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. The men could also face having their oyster harvester licenses revoked by LDWF for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel that is equipped with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.