Two From Mississippi Cited by Wildlife and Fisheries Agents in Louisiana for Alleged Shrimping Violations

Louisiana - Two from Mississippi have been cited by wildlife and fisheries agents in Louisiana for alleged shrimping violations.

On March 8, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported that enforcement agents cited two subjects for alleged shrimping violations in Terrebonne Parish on March 7.

Keith Eschete, 61, of Montegut, and Keeley Vice, 49, of Tylertown, Mississippi, were cited by agents for using skimmers during a closed season and using oversized skimmer nets.

Agents were on patrol in state offshore waters south of Terrebonne Parish near Oyster Bayou at 12:50 a.m. on March 7 when they noticed a skimmer vessel actively shrimping in closed waters. Authorities made contact with Eschete and Vice on the vessel and discovered them with 1,453 pounds of shrimp. The shrimp were taken by agents and sold to the highest bidder. They also seized two oversized skimmer nets.

Using skimmers during a closed season is punishable by a fine of $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail. The use of oversized skimmers is punishable by a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Sgt. Gerald Sander and Corporal Brent Hebert were the agents involved in the investigation.

A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.