Oyster violations on Big Lake

[Duck Butter]

March 21, 2011 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited eight Louisiana individuals for alleged oyster violations on March 18 in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Arthur Rene Guidry, 34, of Lake Charles; Casey Ray Richard, 25, of Sulphur; Kenneth Rammie Levergne, 53, of Sulphur; Misty L. Wood, 35, of Sulphur; Jimmy Leslie Constance III, 30, of Hackberry; Robert Scott Dupre, 39, of Sulphur; Jimmy Don Hammett, 57, of Sulphur; and Joseph Swire, 29, of Sulphur; for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms in Calcasieu Lake.
Agents also cited Guidry, Constance III and Hammett for failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel.
Agents observed four oyster vessels engaged in harvesting oysters in a closed area on the lake. The vessels and occupants were escorted back to the landing where all eight of the fishermen were cited for the violations and released.
Agents seized the four vessels and dredges and returned the oysters to the water.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms carries a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel brings a $50 fine or jail time up to 15 days.

["W"]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

March 21, 2011 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited eight Louisiana individuals for alleged oyster violations on March 18 in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Arthur Rene Guidry, 34, of Lake Charles; Casey Ray Richard, 25, of Sulphur; Kenneth Rammie Levergne, 53, of Sulphur; Misty L. Wood, 35, of Sulphur; Jimmy Leslie Constance III, 30, of Hackberry; Robert Scott Dupre, 39, of Sulphur; Jimmy Don Hammett, 57, of Sulphur; and Joseph Swire, 29, of Sulphur; for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms in Calcasieu Lake.
Agents also cited Guidry, Constance III and Hammett for failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel.
Agents observed four oyster vessels engaged in harvesting oysters in a closed area on the lake. The vessels and occupants were escorted back to the landing where all eight of the fishermen were cited for the violations and released.
Agents seized the four vessels and dredges and returned the oysters to the water.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms carries a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel brings a $50 fine or jail time up to 15 days.

But Oyster Task Force said we have no problem

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by "W"

But Oyster Task Force said we have no problem

yep and here is another from LDWF site

March 18, 2011 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited six Louisiana individuals for alleged oyster violations on March 17 in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Jerell Dwayne Christopher, 52, of Abbeville; Carroll Henderson Laws, 71, of Abbeville; Matthew Gaskins, Jr., 54, of Lake Charles; Waverly Evans Levere, 53, of Abbeville; Hubern Ray Doxey, Jr., 18, of Cameron; and Angela Kay Trahan, 21, of Creole; for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms in Calcasieu Lake.
Christopher was also cited for failing to display proper numbers on his oyster vessel. Doxey was also cited for taking undersized oysters from a natural reef.
Due to complaints received at the Lake Charles office and regular patrols concerning oystering in closed areas of Calcasieu Lake, LDWF Enforcement dispatched a plane to patrol the area by air. Special concern was given to a cultch planting on a reef on the south end of the lake, which is a closed area for oystering.
From the plane, agents observed three oyster boats working in the area of the closed reef. LDWF agents then met the boats at the oyster docks while the plane was able to keep constant contact with the vessels.
Agents seized 22 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water. They also seized the three vessels and dredges.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms carries a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel brings a $50 fine or jail time up to 15 days. Taking undersized oysters from a natural reef carries a $100 to $350 fine, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.

[specktator]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

March 21, 2011 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited eight Louisiana individuals for alleged oyster violations on March 18 in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Arthur Rene Guidry, 34, of Lake Charles; Casey Ray Richard, 25, of Sulphur; Kenneth Rammie Levergne, 53, of Sulphur; Misty L. Wood, 35, of Sulphur; Jimmy Leslie Constance III, 30, of Hackberry; Robert Scott Dupre, 39, of Sulphur; Jimmy Don Hammett, 57, of Sulphur; and Joseph Swire, 29, of Sulphur; for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms in Calcasieu Lake.
Agents also cited Guidry, Constance III and Hammett for failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel.
Agents observed four oyster vessels engaged in harvesting oysters in a closed area on the lake. The vessels and occupants were escorted back to the landing where all eight of the fishermen were cited for the violations and released.
Agents seized the four vessels and dredges and returned the oysters to the water.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms carries a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel brings a $50 fine or jail time up to 15 days.

***! That's chump change to these guys!

[southern151]

I thought all the illegal activity was being done by Texans?. I didn't see one TX city mentioned in either of the articles.

On another note, at least they are doing their job of catching these guys! Fines should be stiffer!

Didn't they seize the dredge and vessel of one crew?

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by southern151

I thought all the illegal activity was being done by Texans?. I didn't see one TX city mentioned in either of the articles.

On another note, at least they are doing their job of catching these guys! Fines should be stiffer!

Didn't they seize the dredge and vessel of one crew?

Yeah, but does that just mean until they pay the fine or what?

And what about the violators from yesterday W? did anyone come out?

[Finfeatherfur]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

Yeah, but does that just mean until they pay the fine or what?

And what about the violators from yesterday W? did anyone come out?

If you are referring to the post yesterday about the oyster boats in West Cove, I saw that West Cove is open to oyster harvest right now. The map is on the WLF website and it clearly has West Cove open right now.

[Ray]

LDWF must be getting a lot of calls, they finally got off their asses and are doing their job.

The oyster fishermen shouldn't have to do it wrong, they are letting them have more of the lake than ever, and they can dredge too.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Finfeatherfur

If you are referring to the post yesterday about the oyster boats in West Cove, I saw that West Cove is open to oyster harvest right now. The map is on the WLF website and it clearly has West Cove open right now.

yeah that was it, i wondered why 4 boats would be out in the wide open like that

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

March 21, 2011 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited eight Louisiana individuals for alleged oyster violations on March 18 in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish.
Agents cited Arthur Rene Guidry, 34, of Lake Charles; Casey Ray Richard, 25, of Sulphur; Kenneth Rammie Levergne, 53, of Sulphur; Misty L. Wood, 35, of Sulphur; Jimmy Leslie Constance III, 30, of Hackberry; Robert Scott Dupre, 39, of Sulphur; Jimmy Don Hammett, 57, of Sulphur; and Joseph Swire, 29, of Sulphur; for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms in Calcasieu Lake.
Agents also cited Guidry, Constance III and Hammett for failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel.
Agents observed four oyster vessels engaged in harvesting oysters in a closed area on the lake. The vessels and occupants were escorted back to the landing where all eight of the fishermen were cited for the violations and released.
Agents seized the four vessels and dredges and returned the oysters to the water.
Unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms carries a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Failing to display proper numbers on an oyster vessel brings a $50 fine or jail time up to 15 days.

Originally Posted by specktator

***! That's chump change to these guys!

yeah but they got no boats now....

[Raymond]

Don't worry guys, I have heard they come out at dark like roaches. Problem is wlf is always headed home about 5 every afternoon!

[Ray]

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham issued an emergency order to close the oyster season in the east side of Calcasieu Lake (DHH Harvest Area 29) at one-half hour after sunset on Friday, March 25, 2011.
The season was previously set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to remain open until April 30, 2011, except for the 2009 cultch plant, but the commission gave authority for an early closure to Secretary Barham in order to protect and conserve the public oyster resource.
LDWF Office of Fisheries biologists have monitored the health of the public oyster resource throughout the oyster season, which opened on November 15, 2010, through biological sampling and harvest tracking. LDWF monitoring activities have determined that the public oyster resources have sustained heavy harvest pressure and continued harvest may threaten the long-term sustainability of the remaining oyster resources.
Within the past week, LDWF enforcement agents have encountered numerous oyster harvesting violations within harvest area 29. As a result, agents have seized oysters and fishing equipment.
An early closure of these public oyster seed grounds will help protect the remaining oyster resources and help sustain that resource for the future. This early closure is being announced in order to provide the oyster industry with as much prior notice as possible.
The west side of the Calcasieu Lake public oyster area (DHH Harvest Area 30) is scheduled to remain open to the harvest of oysters until April 30, 2011.

["W"]

Basket reef is gone,,,,, I bet you can not find one oyster in there....I watched them catch a boat full then drive off half mile and dump undersize oysters out...saw one boat driving to duck camp throwing oysters over the side while going 40mph....

[PaulMyers]

A bit of good news, just hope its not way to late.

Sent from my EVO

[Raymond]

This is very good news and not too surprising.
I am glad Sec Barham and Randy Pausina have finally come to the same conclusion most of have regarding dredges in the lake.
Now, how bout we all send them some nice emails thanking them for their action??

[Ray]

I think it took some big named guides and fishermen to voice their concerns on fishing boards and magazines, as well as emails and phone calls.
Nothing was done till they spent 2 days catching people oystering on closed grounds. LDWF needs a boat out on the lake every day that Oyster season is open. That is the only way to keep the outlaws legal.

["W"]

Originally Posted by Ray

I think it took some big named guides and fishermen to voice their concerns on fishing boards and magazines, as well as emails and phone calls.
Nothing was done till they spent 2 days catching people oystering on closed grounds. LDWF needs a boat out on the lake every day that Oyster season is open. That is the only way to keep the outlaws legal.

Or more eyes like us to call on them...

[cajunhntr03]

get the boat numbers and call em in the more calls they get the more response we get

[BayBolt23]

Originally Posted by cajunhntr03

get the boat numbers and call em in the more calls they get the more response we get

Yep your right

[boatdriver]

Well, this could be one hell of a way to start the fight of depleting oysters. Finally, after weeks of complaints from people like us, something was done. Like I said, it's at least a start. Thanks to all who played a part in this process!!!