A joint investigation between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) resulted in two commercial crabbing cases in Cameron Parish on Sept. 27.
LDWF agents cited Thanh V. Nguyen, 63, of Bridge City, Texas, for taking undersized crabs. NOAA officers cited Ha Nguyen 51, of Bridge City, Texas, for a Federal Lacey Act violation.
LDWF agents and NOAA officers conducted patrols on Sabine Lake in September of 2019 to gather information on illegal crabbing activities in the area.
During the investigation, the agents and officers learned that Thanh Nguyen was taking undersized crabs in Louisiana waters. LDWF agents seized one crate of crabs and returned them back to the water alive.
The LDWF agents and NOAA officers also observed a vessel being operated by Ha Nguyen traveling across Sabine Lake and stopped him. Nguyen advised that he caught all of his crabs in Louisiana waters and that he was crossing into Texas to sell them.
Nguyen was found with 211 female crabs. The recreational and commercial take of female blue crabs from any of the waters of the state or the possession of female blue crabs while on waters of the state was prohibited from Sept. 9 to Oct. 13.
Taking undersized blue crabs brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Taking female crabs during a closed season with intent to sell in another state is a Lacey Act violation and carries up to $2,000 in fines.
