Two oyster fishermen arrested in cameron parish

[Ray]

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force arrested two Sulphur men on April 8 for oyster violations.

The agents observed Allen Dwayne Duraso, 38, and Richard John Geronimo, 46, as they attempted to sell 25 sacks of shell stock oysters, which is 10 sacks over the allowed daily limit of oysters harvested from Calcasieu Lake.

Duraso sold 15 sacks of shell stock oysters without a current vessel license. Duraso and Geronimo then sold another 10 sacks of illegally caught shell stock oysters from their second trip using false boat registration numbers.

Duraso was cited for violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster regulations, no vessel license and intentional concealment of oysters. Geronimo was cited with violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster regulations, intentional concealment of oysters and injuring public records.

The penalties for not having a vessel license is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time for up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. For violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster Regulations, the two face fines between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Injuring public records carries up to five years of imprisonment with or without hard labor, and a fine up to $5,000 or both.