Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged oyster violations on Feb. 19.
Agents cited Joseph A. Slavic, of Belle Chasse, 38, and Todd Sylve, 37, of Port Sulphur, for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failing to have written permission.
Agents were on patrol in Bay Adams in Empire when they observed a vessel actively dredging oysters. Agents boarded the vessel and made contact with Slavic and Sylve.
Agents determined the men were harvesting oysters off of a private oyster lease without written permission. Agents seized 27 sacks of oysters and returned them to the private oyster lease.
Unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail or both, plus forfeiture of anything seized. 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.
Taking oysters without written permission carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
