CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Five lancha boats and more than 2,500 pounds of illegally caught red snapper were seized Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Coast Guard and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Authorities said they caught 20 Mexican fishermen aboard five lancha boats off the coast of Texas.
"Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing depletes our precious natural resources, disrupts our economy and threatens the marine environment," Coast Guard Capt. Hans Govertsen said. "We are blessed to work alongside our local, state, federal, and international partners and are fiercely committed to stopping these illegal operations."
In total, officials said they seized 2,640 pounds of illegally caught fish. The fishermen were detained and brought to shore where they were transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"This case is another example of Texas Game Wardens working with partners to protect and conserve Texas’ natural resources," TPWD Colonel Chad Jones said. "We truly appreciate our partnership with the Coast Guard as we patrol the coastal waterways."
According to the Coast Guard, a lancha is a fishing boat used by Mexican fishermen that is approximately 20-30 feet long with a slender profile, having one outboard motor, and is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 mph. Lanchas are frequently used to transport illegal narcotics to the U.S. and illegally fish in the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S./Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico.
Anyone who spots suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (from land to 9 miles offshore) is asked to call 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Anything spotted in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore) is asked to call the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.
