Poplarville, Lumberton men cited in month-long investigation on Pearl River
Three Mississippi men have been cited as part of a month-long investigation into alleged shocking of fish on the Pearl River, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.
Lance O. Davis, 41, of Poplarville, Miss.; James A. Howard, 51, of Poplarville, Miss.; and Howard D. Restor, 40, of Lumberton, Miss., were cited for taking fish using illegal methods and a federal Lacey Act violation for transporting illegally taken fish from Mississippi to Louisiana, the LDWF said in a news release.
Howard was also cited for failing to comply with personal flotation device requirements and failing to comply with engine cutoff safety switch requirements.
The LDWF and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks cooperated in the investigation, the LDWF said.
Investigators received information from an anonymous informant that the three men were allegedly shocking fish on the Pearl River, the LDWF said.
During the past month investigators from the two states set up surveillance on the river, the agency reported.
On the afternoon of Aug. 11, an LDWF agent allegedly observed the three men in a boat arrange and assemble a shocking device consisting of a long electrical wire attached to a small section of chain and a 12-volt electrical supply system.
The agent then allegedly watched the men in Washington Parish waters shocking the water and using a dip net to collect fish that came to the surface, the LDWF said.
The agent then allegedly observed the vessel make its way into Mississippi waters and notified the MDWFP, according to the news release.
From a distance, the LDWF agent allegedly watched the men use the same shocking technique to collect fish in Mississippi waters, LDWF said.
The men allegedly entered Louisiana waters again and went to their camp on the western shore of the Pearl River, the news release stated.
LDWF and MDWFP agents made contact with the men at their camp and allegedly found them in possession of 24 catfish filets, one whole catfish and other catfish parts, the LDWF said.
LDWF agents seized the fish, a 14-foot boat, an alleged shocking device and a 25-horsepower motor, LDWF said.
Charges in Mississippi are still pending, the agency reported.
Conviction on a Lacey Act violation includes up to a $10,000 fine and five years in jail. Taking fish using illegal methods brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. The boating safety violations each bring a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.
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