Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited four people for alleged commercial fishing violations on Aug. 2, 2018 in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Tony Riley, 46, and Ingrid Ragas, 44, both of Port Sulphur, and Dac Tran,57, and Luong V. Tran, 54, both of Avondale, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. Riley was also cited for not possessing a commercial fishing license.
Agents found the four subjects inside the closed waters of Bastian Bay on two separate vessels. Agents sized a total of 405 pounds of shrimp and they were sold to the highest bidder.
Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. Taking commercial fish without a commercial license brings up to a $500 fine and 90 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.