Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited two people for alleged shrimping violations on April 13 in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Mark A. Matherne, 47, of Slidell, and Jessica Frelich, 30, of Buras, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season.
Agents found the two subjects approximately one mile inside the closed waters of Bastian Bay. During the stop, agents seized 60 pounds of shrimp and returned them 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.