Louisiana Man Cited for Alleged Shrimping Violations, Gear, and 1,943 Pounds of Shrimp Also Seized

On August 26, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported that enforcement agents cited a Delcambre, Louisiana, man for alleged shrimping violations on August 24 in St. Mary Parish.

Jimmie Dupre Jr., 48, was cited by agents for failing to return a serviceable trap to the water, trawling inside waters with big nets, and taking commercial fish without a commercial gear license and vessel license.

Agents were on patrol in West Cote Blanche Bay when they came upon a shrimping vessel operated by Dupre Jr. During an examination, officials discovered that Dupre Jr. lacked a commercial gear license and a vessel license. On the deck of the vessel, he also had two trawls that were longer than the permitted limit of 25 feet and two serviceable crab traps.

Agents seized two shrimp trawls, two crab traps, one shrimping vessel on seizure order, and 1,943 pounds of shrimp.

Shrimpers who catch functioning crab traps in their nets must promptly return them to the water, according to Louisiana law. If they do not have a float, they should attach a common float and return it to the water. Furthermore, trawlers fishing in the state’s interior waters are limited to two trawls with a maximum cork line of 25 feet for each trawl.

Inside-water trawling with oversized nets, as well as commercial fishing without a commercial gear license and vessel license, result in a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each infraction. Failure to return to serviceable crab traps is punishable by a $350 punishment.

Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Jake Darden, Corporal Steven Jackson, Corporal Brent Hebert, and Agent Cody Salpietra.