13-44-SLP| April 9, 2013
BILOXI, Miss. — Herman William Rieux of Hancock County was found guilty on 26 counts and fined $3,000 plus court costs in Hancock County Justice Court today. On Feb. 1, 2013, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Marine Patrol had cited Rieux with 11 counts of possession of non-biodegradable gill nets, 11 counts of possession of untagged gill nets, two counts of possession of commercially taken undersized red drum, one count for not having a commercial gill net license and one count of possession of bull red drum exceeding the daily bag limit.
MDMR Marine Patrol seized 11 gill nets–totaling 1,310 feet–and 333.3 pounds of illegal red drum (valued at $749.93) from Rieux on Feb. 1, who was removing fish from his nets off east Gulf Street in the Ansley community in Hancock County. A court order is expected to be issued this week to destroy the confiscated nets.
MDMR Marine Patrol had received a tip from a reliable source on Jan. 21 that Rieux was engaged in illegal netting activity. An officer waited in a nearby marsh area on foot and then confronted Rieux while he was in the process of unloading his boat.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the MDMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Contact: Susan Lepoma Perkins, APR
Phone: (228) 523-4124
[ Download PDF ]
