Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited six people in two separate vessels for alleged illegal oyster harvesting violations on Dec. 5 in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Joby A. Landry, 22, of Lake Charles, Lawrence A. Landry, 56, of Cameron, and Rodney P. Dyson, 38, of Cameron, for violating Calcasieu Lake oyster regulations for using dredges and intentional concealment of oysters. Agents also cited Phillip C. Dyson II, 36, of Cameron, Kenneth D. Debarge, 39, of Cameron, and Kasey L. Mock, 26, of Cameron, for violating Calcasieu Lake oyster regulations for using dredges.
Agents were patrolling Calcasieu Lake when they observed two vessels actively dredging for oysters in a tonging only area. When agents approached the oyster vessels, they observed three subjects throw three sacks of oysters overboard from one of the vessels.
Intentional concealment of oysters brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Violating Calcasieu Lake oyster regulations brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.
The offenders may also face forfeiting their permits to harvest oysters on Calcasieu Lake and be barred from obtaining permits for the remainder of the period for which it was issued plus one year, during which time the offenders will be barred from participating in any oyster harvesting activity on Calcasieu Lake.