Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two mullet fishermen on Dec. 4 for alleged commercial fishing violations in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Clayton M. Buras, 35, of Franklinton, and Joseph L. Neal, 39, of Boothville, for taking commercial mullet during illegal hours.
Agents were responding to complaints of illegal mullet fishing when they observed the two subjects shining the water in an attempt to locate mullet. Agents then stopped the vessel and found mullet strike net filled with mullet still alive around 3 a.m. near Port Eads in South Pass.
Agents seized 1,966 pounds of mullet and a 1,200-foot mullet strike net. Louisiana law prohibits the commercial taking of mullet after legal sunset.
Taking commercial mullet during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
The two may also face a mandatory mullet permit suspension for a conviction of illegal fishing. There is a mandatory one-year suspension for first conviction, two year suspension for a second conviction and a life suspension for a third conviction.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.