Wildlife Agents in Louisiana Cite Three Subjects For Shrimpling Violations, Over 600 Pounds Seized and 10 Pounds Returned to Water

By Calcasieu Staff
Published April 30, 2023

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Wildlife Agents in Louisiana Cite Three Subjects For Shrimpling Violations, Over 600 Pounds Seized and 10 Pounds Returned to Water

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana – Wildlife agents in Louisiana cited three subjects for shrimpling violations, and they seized over 600 pounds of shrimp and returned 10 pounds to the water.

On April 26, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported that three people were cited for alleged shrimping offenses in Plaquemines Parish.

Webley Bourgeois, 51, of Boothville, Louisiana, Jason Wilkerson, 33, of Buras, Louisiana, and Amanda Easley, 37, of Poplarville, Mississippi, were all cited by agents for shrimping during closed season.

On the night of April 26th, agents were patrolling in the region of Bay Pomme D’Or in lower Plaquemines Parish when they reportedly spotted Wilkerson actively harvesting shrimp with skimmer nets despite the fact that the season was closed. Agents made contact with Wilkerson and were able to return 10 pounds of shrimp in his nets to the water.

Later that evening, agents saw Bourgeois and Easley actively harvesting shrimp in Scofield Bay despite the fact that the season is currently closed. Authorities made contact with Bourgeois and Easley and discovered them in possession of 604 pounds of shrimp that were seized and sold. Bourgeois was cited for the fourth time, and his skimmer nets were seized.

The first offense of shrimping during a closed season carries a $950 fine and up to 180 days in jail. If convicted, the violator’s trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear permits will be revoked or suspended for one year from the date of the first conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or having shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operational vessel monitoring system that LDWF may access.

The fourth offense of shrimping during a closed season is punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and 180 days in jail. The court shall revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear permits for ten years from the date of the last conviction for the third and consecutive offenses. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or having shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operational vessel monitoring system that LDWF may access.

Sgt. Villere Reggio, Sgt. Josh Laviolette, Corporal Austin Landry, Corporal Gary Levron, and Agent Josh Schilling are the agents involved in these instances.

A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.