Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement division agents arrested a Houma man for alleged violations commercial fishing violations on Aug. 22.
Agents arrested Sam C. Dobson, 39, for taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license and commercial gear license, failing to possess a commercial fishing vessel license, taking oysters without an oyster harvester license and violating Department of Health Hospitals sanitary code for log book violations.
Agents were on patrol in lower Terrebonne Parish when they received a complaint in the Bay Moncleus area. Agents responded to the location and saw Dobson leaving the area.
From numerous encounters in the field and court, agents knew Dobson was an unlicensed commercial fisherman. Agents stopped Dobson and found him in possession of sacked oysters and dredges dripping with oysters and shell.
Agents seized five sacks of oysters and contents in the dredge and returned the oysters to the water.
The four commercial fishing license violations brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Violating the sanitary code for logbook violation carries up to a $25 fine and loss of the oysters. Agents booked Dobson into the Terrebonne Parish Jail.
Dobson has been cited and found guilty of multiple commercial fishing violations in the past.
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Joseph Arnaud and Sgt. Bryan Marie.