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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a St. Bernard man for alleged commercial crabbing violations in Plaquemines Parish on April 6.

Agents cited Fredrick Everhardt, 25, for not possessing a commercial fishing license, commercial gear license and commercial vessel license and also for taking immature female blue crabs.

Agents were on patrol when they stopped Everhardt in Bayou Gentilly.  Agents found Everhardt in possession of 2,500 pounds of crabs with no commercial fishermen’s license, no commercial gear license for crab traps, no commercial vessel license for his vessel and immature female blue crabs.

Agents conducted catch sample measurements on two crates of blue crab onboard the harvest vessel and found those crates contained 16 percent and 8 percent of immature female crabs. Commercial fishermen are allowed an incidental take of immature female crabs not to exceed five percent of the total number of crabs in possession.

Agents seized the crabs and returned them to the water.

After further investigation, agents learned that Everhardt also sold approximately 12,425 pounds of blue crabs since January 2022 without the proper licenses.

Taking immature female blue crabs, and fishing without a commercial fishing license, gear license or vessel license carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense.

Everhardt also faces a civil assessment totaling $19,010.25 for the illegally harvested and sold crabs from January to April.

The case will be forwarded to District Attorney Charles Ballay for prosecution.  Case agents are Corporal Blaine Wagner and Senior Agent Shea Schexnaydre.