Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents recently cited five subjects for alleged recreational fishing violations in Cameron and Terrebonne Parishes.
On Oct. 13, agents cited Chris Cormier, 53, of Vinton, for possessing over the recreational limit of shrimp and intentional concealment of fish, and Larry Bandeaux, 36, of Sulphur, for fishing without basic fishing and saltwater fishing licenses.
On Oct. 11, agents cited Alexey Planche-Marron, 47, of Baton Rouge, Michel Sotto Cabrales, 38, of Baton Rouge, and Osvaldo Botello Martinez, 55, of Baton Rouge, for possessing undersized red drum, taking over the limit of red drum, taking over the limit of black drum, and possessing undersized black drum.
Agents were patrolling Kayo Bayou in Cameron Parish on Oct. 13 when they observed Bandeaux culling shrimp from an ice chest. Agents made contact with Bandeaux and found he did not possess basic fishing and saltwater fishing licenses and he was also in possession of 98 pounds of shrimp.
Shortly after, agents made contact with Cormier and found him in possession of an ice chest with shrimp in his vessel. Agents also found fish baskets and an ice chest on the bank filled with shrimp. After further investigation, agents determined that Cormier harvested 366 pounds of shrimp and used the ice chests and fish baskets on the bank to conceal his harvest.
Agents seized the shrimp from the two subjects and donated them to a local charity.
On Oct. 11, agents were on patrol in Terrebonne Parish when they observed three people carrying an ice chest from Boudreaux Canal to a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Hwy. 56. Agents made contact with the subjects identified as Planche-Marron, Cabrales, and Martinez and observed a fish protruding from the top of the ice chest.
Agents conducted a creel inspection and found the subjects in possession of 61 black drum and 15 red drum of which 53 black drum were undersized and five red drum were undersized.
The daily take and possession limit for black drum is five fish per person with a minimum legal size of 16 inches. The daily take and possession limit for red drum is four fish per person with a minimum legal size of 18 inches.
The three individuals stated they had been fishing together and had placed all of the fish they caught into the same ice chest. Agents seized 61 black drum and five red drum and donated them to a local charity.
Intentional concealment of fish carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Over the limit of shrimp brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Possessing undersized black and red drum and over the limit of black and red drum carries up to a $350 fine for each offense. Fishing without basic and saltwater fishing licenses brings up to a $50 fine for each offense.
Cormier will face civil restitution totaling $549 for the shrimp. Bandeaux will face civil restitution totaling $147 for the shrimp. Planche-Marron will face civil restitution totaling $128.75 for the illegal black and red drum. Cabrales will face civil restitution totaling $127.50 for the illegal black and red drum. Martinez will face civil restitution totaling $77.50 for the illegal black and red drum.
Agents participating in the Oct. 13 cases are Sgt. Dylan Armentor and Agent Corey Hyatt. Agents participating in the Oct. 11 case are Senior Agent Harry Gaines and Agent Courtney Hart.
