The U.S. Coast Guard detained four Mexican fishers illegally harvesting red snapper in U.S. waters off the coast of the state of Texas last month, continuing its efforts to cut down illegal fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
A Coast Guard Station South Padre Island boat crew detected an illegal fishing operation in U.S. federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico – referred to as the Gulf of America under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump – on 22 September. The crew interdicted the four fishers and their lancha, seizing 450 pounds of illegally caught red snapper as well as fishing equipment.
“The Coast Guard will continue to defend our maritime borders, uphold our nation's sovereignty, and ensure that those who threaten the sustainability of our resources are held accountable,” the Coast Guard stated in a release. “The illegal harvest and trade of red snapper and other fish species is often a revenue stream for criminal organizations. Apart from their use for illegal seafood harvesting in U.S. waters, lanchas may also be used to move illicit drugs and aliens into the United States.”
The Coast Guard transferred the fishers to U.S Homeland Security Investigations personnel for processing and referred them to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution as part of a new policy announced earlier this year.
“The arrest and prosecution of Mexican commercial fisherman marks a change in policy concerning the protection of U.S. marine resources,” the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas stated in May. “In past instances, authorities would seize the catch and destroy the vessel but release violators back to Mexico. Any commercial fisherman now apprehended in U.S. waters caught violating the Lacey Act face potential fines and imprisonment.”
In June, the first four fishers referred to the DOJ pled guilty to transporting illegally taken red snapper after being indicted by a grand jury in May. The fishers face up to five years in prison and fines of up to USD 250,000 (EUR 223,669).
The Coast Guard intercepted dozens of Mexican fishers illegally operating in U.S. waters over the first few months of 2025, although no interceptions have been announced since May.
