CBP Port of New Orleans Agriculture Specialists Discover Illegal Red Snapper Catch

The state of Louisiana has long been known as Sportsman’s Paradise. Having more than 9,000 square miles of fresh and salt water, Louisiana is often a popular destination for fishermen on the Gulf Coast. 

                                         

*More than 300 lbs. of illegal red snappers were found in a fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.

However, along with the popularity of the Sportsman’s Paradise comes regulations in respect to fishing. One cargo ship crew learned this the hard way June 19 when CBP Agriculture Specialists Dale Aldridge and Amber Singletary, assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Area Port of New Orleans, discovered that they had reeled in more than 348 lbs. of red snappers from the Gulf of Mexico at the Southwest Pass.  

The crew was charged with possessing more than their limit of red snappers, angling without a non-resident license, and angling without a saltwater non-resident license. The fish were turned over to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) commission.  

“This seizure exemplifies the agriculture specialists’ dedication to the protection of the Louisiana agriculture industry,” said Kendall P. Gaines, a Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist. “Collaboration between agencies is a key factor in ensuring that the natural resources of the State of Louisiana are preserved for both present and future generations.”   

The red snapper is a protected species, according to the 2018 stock assessment of South Atlantic red snapper, because it has a history of being overfished. The red snapper is currently in the process of being rebuilt in the Gulf of Mexico, a process that could take until 2032. Fishermen are limited two red snappers per licensed fisherman, and the snapper must be 16 inches or larger. Fishermen must also have a valid permit to harvest red snappers. Violating these regulations can result in fines or even jail time.

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