BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three men for alleged shrimping violations following separate incidents in Terrebonne and Plaquemines parishes on August 13 and 14.
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Authorities cited Paul J. Pierre, 56, of Houma; Michael Champlin, 55, of Buras; and Mikeal Bethelot, 25, of Buras for allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed shrimping season.
On August 13, LDWF agents were patrolling near Pass Des Ilettes in Terrebonne Parish when they reportedly encountered Pierre actively using skimmer nets in an area closed to shrimping.
Agents said Pierre had approximately 1,550 pounds of shrimp on board. The shrimp were seized and later sold to the highest bidder.
The following day, agents patrolling near Sandy Point Bay in Plaquemines Parish reportedly found Champlin and Bethelot using skimmer nets in a closed shrimping area.
Agents said approximately 20 pounds of live shrimp were found in the nets. Those shrimp were seized and returned to the water.
Using skimmer nets during a closed season carries a possible fine of $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail.
The inside waters in both areas reopened to shrimping on August 17 at 6 p.m.
Agents involved in the cases included Sgt. Norman Deroche, Sgt. Gary Levron, Sgt. Brett Nabors and Cpl. Heather Fitzgerald.
