Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged oyster violations on Feb. 5 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Abelardo Carbajal Jr, 29, and Voshon Dardar, 25, both from Houma, for taking oysters from a polluted area and unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms.
Agents were on patrol in lower Terrebonne Parish near Lake Harbour when they observed the two subjects harvesting oysters in a polluted area and unleased state water bottoms.
Agents seized five mini sacks of oysters and returned them to the water. The vessel and dredge were seized on a department seizure order.
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.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms brings a $400 to $900 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
