Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries used an aerial drone to spot an individual illegally harvesting hundreds of pounds of oysters in February.
While on an early morning patrol of the Sister Lake Oyster Seed Reservation 3 February, agents decided to fly an aerial drone overhead to observe an individual harvesting oysters from a vessel. Oyster season in the area had already been closed for more than a month.
After making contact with the individual – identified as 47-year-old Houma resident Angel Torres – the department discovered he had harvested 900 pounds of oysters.
Torres was cited for a litany of violations, including taking oysters during a closed season, violating logbook requirements, taking oysters during illegal hours, improper vessel running lights, and not possessing a commercial fishing license. Taking oysters from state grounds during a closed season results in a fine of USD 900 to USD 950 (EUR 758 EUR 800) and up to 120 days in jail.
The oysters were returned to the water, and agents seized Torres’ oyster scraper.
