Two Louisiana Men Cited for Oyster Violations After Allegedly Taking Oysters from a Polluted Area and Other Crimes

Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported that on January 25 in Terrebonne Parish, two Chauvin, Louisiana men were cited for alleged oyster violations.

Kenneth Naquin, 35, and John Naquin, 34, were cited by agents for allegedly taking oysters during illegal hours, taking oysters from a polluted area, unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease, and failing to have written permission.

At 10:15 p.m. on January 25, agents on patrol in Terrebonne Parish discovered a commercial oyster vessel harvesting oysters on a waterway known locally as Sevin Canal. The Louisiana Department of Health has declared this area polluted and has prohibited oyster fishing. This area is also on a private lease, and the men were harvesting oysters without written permission.

Six sacks of oysters were seized and returned to the water by agents.

Agents are also looking for information on another vessel that fled the scene during the stop. Information can be submitted anonymously by calling the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 or using their Tip411 app. If the information leads to an arrest in this case, Operation Game Thief will pay up to $1,000.

Taking oysters from a polluted area is punishable by a fine of $900 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during prohibited hours, failing to obtain written permission, and taking oysters from a private lease all result in a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Corporal Norman Deroche and Agent Austin Anderson are the agents involved in the case. Detective Earl Sevin, Sgt. Reed Bonvillain, and Deputy Chris Savoie from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation.

A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.