Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two subjects for alleged oyster violations in Cameron Parish on Jan. 11.
Agents cited Ira J. Rodrigue Jr., 31, and Lerlene D. Rodrigue, 52, both of Cameron, for violating Calcasieu Lake oyster regulations.
Agents received complaints of subjects using a dredge in a tonging only area near West Cove on Calcasieu Lake. Agents setup surveillance in the area and observed Ira and Lerlene actively dredging for oysters in West Cove.
Agents made contact with the subjects and found them in possession of three sacks of oysters that they admitted were caught with the illegal dredge.
Agents seized the dredge and returned three sacks of oysters to the water.
Violating Calcasieu Lake oyster regulations brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. The offenders may also be forced to forfeit any permit to harvest oysters on Calcasieu Lake and shall be barred from obtaining a permit for the remainder of the period for which it was issued plus one year, during which time the offender shall be barred from participating in any oyster harvesting activity on Calcasieu Lake.