In federal waters off southern Texas, the U.S. Coast Guard caught 11 Mexican fishermen along with seizing approximately 1,600 pounds of illegally caught red snapper and nine sharks.
Coast Guard Station South Padre, in collaboration with other Coast Guard units and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), intercepted four boats, known as lanchas, off the Texas coast last Thursday in federal waters just north of the boundary line.
The Coast Guard described lanchas as slender fishing vessels utilized by Mexican fishermen, measuring between 20 to 30 feet in length and equipped with an outboard motor capable of speeds exceeding 30 mph.
The Coast Guard interdicted three lanchas, detained 11 Mexican fishermen, and seized nearly 1,600 pounds of illegally caught red snapper and nine sharks in federal waters off southern Texas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Station South Padre Island)
The fish were seized along with the fishing gear and highflyers, which are used to mark the beginning and end of long fishing lines.
Authorities also took all 11 fishermen into custody and transferred them to CPB officials for further processing.
“Our crews will not pull back from efforts to end illegal fishing and trafficking of valuable natural resources on the maritime border. We remain committed to enforcing the laws of this nation,” said Lt. Shane Gunderson, commanding officer of Station South Padre Island. “Whether on the southern border or along the maritime boundary line in the Gulf of America, the Coast Guard will detect, deter, and interdict illicit activity that threatens our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
