Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited a Belle Chasse man for alleged shrimping violations on July 29 in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Sang V. Pham 57, for using skimmers in a closed season. Agents received complaints about a vessel illegally catching shrimp in Blind Bay. Agents observed Pham with his skimmers in the water around 10:50 a.m.
Pham then pulled the skimmers up and the nets were closed with shrimp and bycatch inside the net. Agents made contact with Pham and found him in possession of about 25 pounds of shrimp.
Using skimmers in a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail and forfeiture of anything seized.
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.
Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Todd Laviolette and Lt. Louis Burnett.