Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested six Terrebonne Parish men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on June 14 and 15.
Agents arrested Hunter Daisy, 19, of Theriot, Darren Billiot, 48, of Theriot, and Rocky Rel, 34, of Houma, for unlawfully taking oysters during a closed season from the Sister Lake seed ground and booked them into the Terrebonne Parish Correctional Facility on June 14. On June 15, agents arrested Santiago Martinez, 50, of Houma, Luis Carbajal, 22, of Chauvin, and Jose Catarino, 28, of Theriot, for taking oysters from an unapproved area in Bayou Sauveur and booked them into the Terrebonne Correctional Facility.
Agents were working a complaint of subjects taking oysters from the Sister Lake seed ground and observed a vessel actively dredging in the closed area. Agents made contact with the three men in the vessel and were able to seize and return eight sacks of oysters to the water.
While working complaints of subjects taking oysters from a polluted area in Bayou Sauveur, agents observed a vessel actively taking oysters from an unapproved area. Agents made contact with the three men in the vessel and were able to seize and return four sacks of oysters to the water.
Taking oysters from an unapproved area carries a fine between $400 and $950 and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during a closed season carries a fine between $100 and $350 and up to 60 days in jail.
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.
Agents involved in the cases were Senior Agents Stephen Rhodes and Dean Aucoin, and Sgt. Bryan Marie.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
LDWF agents arrest six Terrebonne Parish oyster fishermen
