Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three oyster fisherman for alleged oyster harvester violations on May 22 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Luis Zarraga-Flores, 40, Jose Dolores Vega Hernandez, 25, and Manuel Mendoza Vega, 34, all from Houma, for taking oysters from a polluted area.
Agents observed the three subjects harvesting oysters with two oyster scrapers in Bay Antoine in lower Terrebonne Parish. The area was located in an unapproved polluted location.
Agents seized 15 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. 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.
