We’re again at it once more from Louisiana for guys getting cited, this time with alleged flounder violations for 3 males. A bit earlier this month on October nineteenth, Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement brokers cited three males for alleged fishing violations in Plaquemines Parish. Wildlife brokers cited Arielle Vicknair, 24, of St. Bernard, Richard Vasquez, 59, of Port Sulphur, and Michael Champlin, 52, of Buras, for holding flounder out of season.
The brokers have been on patrol within the Oak River space of Plaquemines Parish after they encountered three separate vessels. Once they did a boating security and license compliance inspection of every of the vessels, the brokers discovered that Mr. Vicknair was in possession of 18 flounder, Mr. Vasquez was in possession of three flounder, and Mr. Champlin was in possession of 4 flounder.
The season for the leisure and business harvest of southern flounder is closed from October fifteenth via November thirtieth of every yr. That is in effort to guard the southern flounder after they congregate earlier than their spawn. The closure of southern flounder is statewide and for all sectors and all forms of fishing gear. This additionally contains any flounder caught as bycatch in another fishery resembling shrimping. There beforehand existed an exemption for southern flounder caught as bycatch on a shrimping journey, however these exemptions are not relevant or legitimate.
The harvest/taking of southern flounder throughout a closed season carries as much as a $350 superb, and the person may additionally face civil restitution fines for the alternative worth of the illegally taken fish. So Mr. Vicknair faces a $289 superb, Mr. Vasquez faces a $48 superb, and Mr. Champlin faces a $64 superb in civil restitution on high of the unique out-of-season flounder superb.
The Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement Brokers collaborating within the case have been Lt. Adam Younger and Corporal Blaine Wagner.
