Three Louisiana Men Cited for Taking Over the Limit, Intentional Concealment, and Other Charges While Fishing

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated on August 8, 2022, that on August 5, enforcement agents ticketed three males for alleged recreational fishing infractions in the Gulf of Mexico in Vermilion Parish.

Agents charged Craig Hebert, 63, of Maurice, Louisiana, Eric Couvillion, 67, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and Matthew Dehart, 31, of Abbeville, Louisiana, for taking over the limit of red snapper, failing to keep saltwater finfish intact, and intentional concealment of fish. Dehart was also cited for taking an undersized cobia.

Agents were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico south of Vermilion Parish when they came across three males returning from an offshore fishing trip just south of Freshwater Bayou. Agents discovered them in possession of nine red snapper and an undersized cobia.

Agents discovered an extra ice chest hidden within the vessel after further inspection. This ice chest held 80 fillets of red snapper, which is the equivalent of 40 red snapper.

The daily limit for red snapper is three. Cobio has a minimum fork length of 36 inches. Agents seized 49 Red Snapper and the cobia and donated them to a local charity.

Taking more red snapper than allowed and taking an undersized cobia might result in a $350 fine. Failure to preserve saltwater finfish intact is punishable by a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in prison. Intentionally concealing fish is punishable by a fine of $900 to $950 and up to 120 days in prison.

The offenders may also face civil reparation of $1,211 for the replacement of the red snapper and cobia.

Lt. Beau Robertson, Sgt. Justin Sonnier, Corporal Tib Guillory, and Agent Chelsea Moudry are among the agents involved in the investigation.