Law enforcement officials in the U.S. state of Louisiana caught four commercial crabbers harvesting crab in violation of state law last month.
On 26 March, officers with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on patrol in the Bayou Chauvin Area noticed four individuals crabbing in separate vessels. Upon inspecting the vessels, the officers discovered multiple violations, such as the possession of too many immature female crabs.
Under state law, commercial crabbers are allowed to keep some juvenile female crabs, but they cannot make up more than 5 percent of the total catch. Fines for possessing too many immature female crabs range from USD 400 to USD 900 (EUR 370 to EUR 830), and violations can result in serving up to 120 days in jail.
Officers cited Louisiana residents Luis Martinez, Darrell Luke, and Tyler Luke for possessing juvenile female crabs over the limit. Luke and fellow Louisiana resident Tyler Melancon were also cited for not having a commercial fishing license on them.
Law enforcement officers returned the crabs back to the water.
