Three Subjects Cited For Illegal Oyster Harvest in Plaquemines Parish

Published 6:58 am Friday, April 1, 2022

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three subjects for alleged oyster violations on March 25 in Plaquemines Parish.

Agents cited Lien Thi Truong, 71, Vivilio Velasquez, 28, and Carlos Vasquz, 28, all of Port Sulphur, for unlawfully removing oysters from a private lease and failing to have written permission.

Agents were on patrol in the area of Grand Bayou located in Port Sulphur responding to theft complaints from local lease holders when they witnessed three occupants in an aluminum flat boat harvesting oysters by hand.  Upon approaching the vessel for a license and Department of Health vessel sanitation inspection, agents found the three subjects harvesting oysters from a private lease without written permission.

Agents seized two sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.

Unlawfully taking oysters off a private lease and failing to have written permission carry up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail for each offense.  The subjects could also face having their oyster harvester licenses revoked by LDWF for up to one year.  The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel that is equipped with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.

Agents participating in the case are Lt. Adam Young, Sgt. Jason Gernados and Corporal Thomas Forehand.  The case will be forwarded to District Attorney Charles Ballay for prosecution.