South Louisiana Men Cited for Shrimping Violations at Rockefeller

Five men with connections to South Louisiana were cited by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents according to the Department's website. The violations occurred at the Rockefeller Refuge between September 27th and October 1st of 2022. All of the men are facing citations for taking more shrimp than the legal limit allows.

According to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries private and recreational fishermen are allowed to take 25 pounds of shrimp per vehicle/per vessel/per day. In each case, the men involved were found to be in possession of more than that limit and it was reported that some of the accused made multiple trips to Rockefeller Refuge to harvest the crustaceans.

On September 27th Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agents cited Zachary Breaux of St Martinville with taking over the legal limit. Meanwhile, on October 1st agents cited Michael  Leblanc of Jeanerette, Jody Fontenot of Abbeville, Darren Besson of Abbeville, and Daxeons Faulk of Kaplan for taking more shrimp than the daily limit allows.

Leblanc was also cited by agents for failing to return his by-catch to the water immediately. All in all, agents seized just over 200 pounds of shrimp. The confiscated seafood was donated to a local charity. Violating the rules and regulations on the Rockefeller Refuge carries up to a $350 fine. The accused, if convicted, may also face civil restitution for the replacement of the shrimp that were taken over the limit.

The Rockefeller Refuge which spans portions of Vermillion and Cameron Parishes is open daily from sunrise to sunset from March 1st through December 1st. For a complete list of rules and regulations regarding activities at the refuge, you can click here.