Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three Galiano men for alleged oyster violations in LaFourche Parish on Sept. 18.
Agents cited Carl J. Leblanc Jr., 42, Chad Martin, 22, and Bobby W. Taylor, 19, for taking oysters from a polluted area, taking oysters during illegal hours and intentional concealment of oysters.
Agents received a complaint about a vessel dredging for oysters in an area deemed to be polluted by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). Agents setup surveillance and found an oyster vessel with Leblanc Jr., Martin and Taylor on board inside the polluted area.
During questioning, one of the men confessed that they were dredging for oysters the night before and that they offloaded their catch onto the bank when they thought agents might be suspecting them of their illegal activity.
Agents found 18 sacks of oysters on the bank one of which had a tag with Leblanc Jr.’s information filled out. Agents seized the oysters and returned them to the water.
In a separate case, agents also cited Leblanc Jr. for taking oysters from a polluted area on Feb. 13, 2018.
Taking oysters from a polluted area and intentional concealment of oysters each brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking oysters during illegal hours carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.