[ noun ] a vessel engaged in shrimping <noun.artifact>
Shrimper \Shrimp"er\, n. One who fishes for shrimps.
Although shrimpers have been required to use TEDs since Sept. 8, until Sunday the federal government had forgiven the penalties _ at first in whole and later in part _ if a shrimper bought and installed a TED after being caught without one.
The challenge to the state rule was brought by David Davis, the first shrimper cited under it.
"What I fear is that the Louisiana shrimper will become extinct before the Kemp's ridley sea turtle," Rep. Jimmy Hayes, D-La., said Tuesday in response to the Commerce Department regulation.
Ortiz and other lawmakers said the devices reduce a shrimper's catch by 17 percent to 35 percent, but with the recent seaweed infestation, losses could reach 50 percent.
That's what they need to do, not hurt us," said shrimper Emery Eymard.
"NOAA and the environmentalists will probably ask that the court of appeals to overturn this decision, but I believe that the evidence is overwhelming that shrimper compliance is impossible," said Ortiz.
Her father is a shrimper in Biloxi, Miss.
A third offense could cost $15,000 and confiscation of the shrimper's vessel, catch, or both.
David Phelps and his two crewmen were arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana when Phelps' 68-foot shrimper returned a week ago Tuesday from an eight-day trip.
On Monday a shrimper found in violation of the law faces an $8,000 fine.