Three Montegut men cited for shrimping violations in Bayou Pointe-Aux-Chenes

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited three Montegut men for allegedly violating commercial shrimping regulations on November 11, 2024.

Agents cited Jake A. Billiot Sr., 81, for leaving a butterfly net unattended and taking commercial fish without a vessel license. Agents cited Delvin Guidry, 49, for leaving a butterfly net unattended. Agents cited Michael Chaisson, 57, for failing to possess a commercial fishing license in possession.

Agents were on patrol in Bayou Pointe-Aux-Chenes in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on November 11, 2024 when they observed two butterfly nets left unattended. Agents setup surveillance on the area when they observed two vessels using skimmer nets.

The agents stopped the vessels and found Billiot Sr. on one vessel without possessing a commercial vessel license and Chaisson on the other vessel also without possessing a commercial fishing license.

After writing those citations, the agents then went back to surveilling the unattended butterfly nets. Agents witnessed Guidry tending one of the nets. Then they observed a couple of men tending the other unattended butterfly net.

Agents made contact with the men and they said the net belonged to Billiot Sr. who then admitted to agents that it was his net left unattended.

Agents returned the contents of the unattended nets back to the water. Agents also seized 231 pounds of shrimp from Billiot Sr. and sold them at the dock to the highest bidder.

Regulations define an unattended net as any net in the water to which the licensee is not within 200 feet.

Leaving a butterfly net unattended brings a $350 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Failing to possess a commercial fishing license and possess a commercial vessel license brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Agents participating in the case are Senior Agent Austin Anderson, Senior Agent Troy Autin and Senior Agent Cody Salpietra.