Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited nine people in five separate vessels for alleged shrimping violations on Aug. 8 and 9 in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.
Agents cited Robert M. Buras, 50, of Venice, Carey O’Neil, 49, of Buras, Jeffery Buras, 57, of Hazelhurst, Miss., Philip David Jr., 50, and Joseph Billiot, 56, both of Marrero, Jeffery Billiot Jr., 29, of Laplace, and Derek Perez, 39, of Laffite, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. Agents found these subjects during the late night hours of Aug. 8 actively using skimmers in the closed season in Bay Long in Plaquemines Parish located in Zone 2.
Agents also cited Lindy Lebouef, 77, of St. Bernard, and Elward Perez Jr., 51, of Violet, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. Agents found these two in the early morning hours on Aug. 9 actively using skimmers in Drum Bay located in St. Bernard Parish in Zone 1.
A total of 3,422 pounds of shrimp were seized from all vessels involved and sold to the highest bidder.
Both Zone 1 and Zone 2 have been closed to shrimping since June and is not set to reopen until Aug. 18.
Using skimmers in a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus 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 cases are Sgt. Villere Reggio, Sgt. Austin Arteaga, Corporals Gary Pierce and Bret Nabors, Senior Agents Blaine Wagner, Austin Landry and Joel Cromp, and Agents Jonathan Boudreaux and Thomas Forehand.