Two oyster fishermen arrested in cameron parish

[Ray]

THis is how they do it on the other side of the state.
Vessel monitoring systems should be on every boat that has been caught doing something illegal.


Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited six individuals for alleged oyster violations in Plaquemines Parish on Monday, April 19.

Agents were on patrol in the Port Sulphur area in Bay De La Cheniere when three boats were spotted harvesting oysters in a closed area. Nam Nguyen, 70, of Port Sulphur, Tai Ly, 58, Sophen Men, 30, Ruben Martinez, 23, Sang Thach, 43, Thy Kim, 42, all from Buras, were cited for taking oysters from an unapproved area.

Agents seized and returned 43 sacks of oysters to the water.

The penalty for taking oysters from an unapproved area is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF.

In addition, the oyster harvester's license or licenses under which the violation occurred will be revoked for the period for which it or they were issued. For the first offense, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for one year. For the second and subsequent offenses, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for three years.