Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged oyster violations on Dec. 31, 2019 in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Joby A. Landry, 24, and Brendon K. Duhon, 23, both from Lake Charles, for taking oysters from a polluted area.
Agents were on patrol in the West Cove area and utilized a drone for aerial surveillance when they observed and recorded the two subjects harvesting oysters in a closed area.
Agents seized one sack of oysters and returned them to the water. The vessel was seized on a department seizure order.
LDWF agents began utilizing drones for aerial surveillance video on oyster patrols in March of 2018.
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.
