Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on April 25.
Agents cited Larenzo Lara Aguilar, 35, of Houma, and Miguel Rojas, 46, of San Leon, Texas, for taking oysters during a closed season on the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation, harvesting oysters during illegal hours, and using an illegal dredge. Aguilar was also cited for violating logbook requirements and improper running lights.
Agents were on patrol in the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation around 5:45 a.m. when they observed a vessel with no running lights actively dredging for oysters.
Agents stopped the vessel and found Aguilar and Rojas on board with 20 sacks of oysters. Agents seized the oysters and returned them to the seed reservation. Agents also seized the vessel and two dredges on a department seizure order.
The Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation is closed for the entire 2018-19 oyster season.
Taking oysters during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters during illegal hours carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Using an illegal dredge carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Operating a vessel at night without running lights brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail. Violating logbook requirements brings up to a $25 fine.