The U.S. Coast Guard detained 16 Mexican fishers caught illegally harvesting red snapper in U.S. waters off the coast of Texas earlier this month.
On 11 March, the Coast Guard interdicted four lanchas – small, quick vessels that can be used to quickly cross the Maritime Boundary Line to fish and then return to Mexico with their catch. Coast Guard officers seized roughly 2,500 pounds of illegally harvested red snapper. The 16 Mexican fishers on board were taken into custody and then transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for processions.
"Our crews will continue to relentlessly detect and deter threats to our nation’s sovereignty. These illegal activities support trafficking and other criminal activities on our nation’s southern maritime border," said Lt. David Anderson, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Daniel Tarr. "Our enduring at-sea presence is vital in combatting these illegal operations.”
Two of the lanchas were seized by officers, while the other two “were marked and left adrift due to flooding and instability,” according to the Coast Guard.
The U.S. government has put increased pressure on cartel-associated illegal fishing operations …
