Man arrested at spillway, old news but interesting read

[Timbaux65]

I remember two years ago when this man was arrested at the spillway where I fish.

I had seen him myself at the West Suction Canal, "the sticks", as we call it, and i remember him setting up the net.

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A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent cited an Ascension Parish resident on Jan. 26th for alleged freshwater game fish violations. 

Manolo Ahumada Diaz, 26, of Gonzales, was cited for taking or possessing game fish illegally, taking or possessing over the limit of freshwater game fish and angling without a license.

Agent Timothy Fox observed Diaz deploying a cast net in the Bonnet Carre Spillway and conducted a license compliance inspection.  During the inspection, the Fox determined that Diaz had taken approximately 40 fish with the net and had not purchased a fishing license. 

Along with several bait species, Diaz was in possession of 18 largemouth bass and five bream, which are each considered freshwater game fish.  The daily limit for largemouth bass is 10 fish per day and Louisiana law prohibits the taking of game fish species with a cast net.  

The penalty for taking or possessing game fish illegally includes a fine from $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.  The penalty for taking or possessing over the limit of freshwater game fish includes a fine from $100 to $350, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs.  The penalty for angling without a license includes a $50 fine, or jail time up to 15 days or both.

Fox seized and donated the illegal fish in accordance with department policy.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I like the enforcement to protect the fisheries......North Carolina does a great job of enforcement as well on miles and miles of remote waterways.......I don't mind it since it preserves what we love to do.....Good story Timbaux!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I'm in two minds here. I hate being "regulated" myself, simply because I'm not greedy. I was taught to be a steward of our natural resources, and to increase their number. I was taught that they are a gift from The Almighty, essentially. I don't need enforcement and it grates on my nerves that others think I do.

But many people are the opposite and WILL deplete the resources we all enjoy, without a thought to anyone else. I've seen what some people will do to THEIR resources, and it is sometimes a grim sight.

My first notion was that Mr Diaz may be from another country and was ignorant of the wildlife laws. At the same time, I find that rather hard to believe. EVERY country I've been to - and that's a lot - have fish and game laws. And if he is an American, or has been here long, well... he should know better.

In the end we must err on the side of the law. I have to go along with Jeff on this. Hopefully, Mr Diaz has learned his lesson.

[Timbaux65]

I , too, dont like ridiculous regulations, but the truth is, there are those who are going to abuse freedom. Not sure if Diaz is an illegal or not, but I talked to a man who fishes out at the spillway often. He told me they get a lot of people going out in the swamps and putting illegal nets up.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

So it is with swamps - people think they can hide there and no one will notice, or care.