The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents have taken action against two individuals for breaching commercial crabbing regulations in Terrebonne Parish. On April 18, Shane Cornwell, 50, from Chauvin, and Sonny Trahan, 51, from Montegut, encountered legal troubles for different infractions on the same day while on the water, as per the according to a report released by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
While patrolling in Bayou Petit Caillou, agents encountered Cornwell and discovered his haul containing a significant amount of immature female blue crabs. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries official statement, Cornwell's catch was composed of 18 percent immature female blue crabs, exceeding the state regulation that permits only up to five percent. The agents seized eight crates of crabs and returned them to their natural habitat in the bayou.
In an unrelated incident on the same patrol, agents noticed Trahan engaging in activities that violated local fishery laws. While in Madison Bay near Montegut, Trahan was caught retrieving crab traps that were not his own. As reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the agents promptly cited him for interfering with the activities of other commercial fishermen.
Those found with over the limit of immature female blue crabs like Cornwell can face a sentence ranging from a $400 to $950 fine, and potentially up to 120 days behind bars. On the other hand, the interference with commercial fishermen, as seen in Trahan's case, may result in a fine of up to $350. The enforcement effort involved Lt. Gerald Sander and Senior Agent Troy Autin, as confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries press release.
