Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a total of five subjects for alleged shrimping violations in St. Bernard Parish on Sept. 2 and 3.
Agents cited David Rung Le, 57, and Thuy Thi Tran, 46, both of Harvey, for shrimping in a closed area on Sept. 2. Agents also cited An Kit, 72, of Buras, Sau Tran, 56, of Harvey, and Hai Van Do, 47, of Harvey for shrimping in a closed area on Sept. 3.
Agents observed Le and Tran inside Drum Bay located in St. Bernard Parish on a vessel outfitted with skimmers that were down and actively fishing on Sept. 2. Agents also observed Kit, Tran and Do actively shrimping in Morgan Harbor on Sept. 3.
The inshore shrimp season for this portion of Zone 1 is closed until Sept. 11, 2020. Agents seized a total of 7,975 pounds of shrimp and sold them to the highest bidder.
Using skimmers in a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail.
In addition to any and all other penalties the court may revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer, and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to the LDWF. The court shall also sentence the violator to perform 40 hours of community service.
