Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited two men for alleged shrimping violations on Nov. 1 in St. Bernard Parish.
Agents cited Michael Labat, Jr., 32, of St. Bernard, and his deckhand Allen Labat, 26, of Poydras, for using oversized butterfly nets. Agents also cited Labat, Jr. for failing to display a vessel registration decal and not having boat numbers.
Agents were on patrol in Bayou Terre aux Boeufs in Delacroix, when they observed a vessel actively shrimping without proper boat numbers or registration decal on the side of the vessel. Agents made contact with the subjects on board the vessel and observed the frames on the vessel’s butterfly rigging to be unusually large.
Agents measured the nets at 22 ½ feet horizontally and 10 feet 10 inches vertically for each net. Double butterfly nets may not be more than 16 feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically for each net. In addition they may not be mounted more than 24 inches from the side of the vessel.
Agents found the subjects in possession of 172 pounds of shrimp at the time of the stop, which were seized and sold.
Using oversized butterfly nets brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to have boat numbers and vessel registration decal each carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Jason Gernados, Senior Agent Travis Bartlett and Senior Agent Patrick Dempsey.