Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents have cited 16 people from six different vessels for alleged oyster violations on Nov. 23 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Carlos L. Garcia, 25, of Montegut; Daniel A. Mendez, 35, of Montegut; Antonio C. Aquado, 61, of Houma; Meguel A. Rojas, 45, of San Leon, Texas; Abraham Mendoza-Saaverdra, 22, of Houma; Juan Cardenas-Arredongo, 43, of Houma; Jose Cardenas-Calderon, 24, of Houma; Erica M. Trosclair, 40, of Houma; Mario Gomez, 40, of Houma; Mateo S. Samitez, 25, of Houma; Rios Bernardo, 30, of Gray; Javier Moreno-Mendez, 33, of Gray; Diego Montoya-Garawto, 53, of Bourg; Omar M. Reyes, 25, of Houma; Jose Luis Yanez Ramirez, 37, of Theriot; and Hermico Gomez-Luna, 28, of Houma; for taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area.
Agents were on patrol in Sister Lake when they observed six vessels actively dredging for oysters in unapproved polluted waters. Agents seized a total of 77 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. The men could also face having their oyster harvester licenses revoked by LDWF for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel that is equipped with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.