Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three men for alleged recreational fishing violations in the Gulf of Mexico in Vermilion Parish on August 5. Agents were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico south of Vermilion Parish when they contacted the three men just south of Freshwater Bayou returning from an offshore fishing trip. Agents found them in possession of nine red snappers and an undersized cobia.
After further investigation, agents located an additional ice chest hidden within the vessel. This ice chest contained 80 fillets of red snapper, equal to 40 red snappers. The daily limit of red snapper is three per person. The minimum size limit for Cobio is 36 inches in fork length. Agents seized 49 Red Snapper and the undersized cobia and donated them to a local charity.
Taking over the limit of red snapper and taking an undersized cobia carries up to a $350 fine. Failing to keep saltwater finfish intact brings a $250 to $500 fine and 90 days in jail. Intentionally concealing fish carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
