Officials from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries had a busy evening on April 24 when they encountered a man illegally harvesting shrimp during the off-season. According to a report from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mikeal Berthelot, 24, from Buras, found himself on the wrong side of the law for using skimmers to catch shrimp in Plaquemines Parish.
Caught in the act around 9 p.m. in the Yellow Cotton Bay area, Berthelot was observed by agents Corporal Shea Schexnaydre and Senior Agent Austin Wiles actively engaged in shrimping. The shrimp season in Louisiana's spring inshore waters hasn't yet begun, leaving fisherman like Berthelot with their nets sitting idle while the regulations remain in place. Approximately 50 pounds of shrimp were seized by the agents, which were subsequently sold at the dock to the highest bidder, as reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Breaking these specific regulations is no slap on the wrist; it can result in a fine up to $950 and as many as 120 days behind bars. If convicted, Berthelot's future shrimping ventures might also be closely monitored, as agents recommended a penalty that would require him to harvest shrimp from a vessel equipped with an approved monitoring system, confirming adherence to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries supervision.
