Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement agents cited a Biloxi man on Nov. 7 for allegedly shrimping in state waters with illegal turtle exclusion device’s (TED).
Agents were patrolling in Breton Sound conducting a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol when they found a shrimping vessel in Breton Sound. Agents made contact with the captain, Canh Huu Nguyen, 37, and performed a license compliance check and TED inspection.
During the inspection, agents measured the two TEDS installed in the vessels two large nets and found them both out of compliance with state and federal regulations.
Nguyen was issued a citation and his TEDs were seized. Agents also seized approximately 2,100 pounds of shrimp and sold them to the highest bidder.
Trawling with illegal TEDs brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Shrimp trawlers in the Atlantic Area or Gulf of Mexico Area need to have an approved TED installed in each net that is rigged for fishing. However, certain exemptions to these requirements may apply (e.g. vessels without power or mechanical means of net retrieval, test trawls, skimmer and butterfly nets in compliance with tow time restrictions).
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Dave Nunez, Sgt. Austin Arteaga, Sgt. Keith Francis, and Corporal Rick Clark.