Coast Guard (USCG) crews detected and interdicted a Mexican lancha boat off the South Texas coast on Wednesday morning, recovering over 1,000 pounds of illegally caught fish.
In a press release, USCG confirmed it had detected a lancha crew illegally fishing in federal waters Wednesday morning. A lancha is a type of fishing boat popular among Mexican fishermen capable of high speeds that are commonly used in illegal fishing operations.
Officials said 967 pounds of red snapper and 734 pounds of shark were seized along with the boat. Its crew were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents for processing.
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi apprehended the crew. It has detected some 136 lanchas north of the U.S.-Mexico Maritime Border since October 1, 2017, 39 of which were interdicted.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reminds the public that anyone who witnesses suspicious or illegal fishing in state waters (out to 9 miles offshore) may contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Or, if in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), you can contact the Coast Guard at 361-939-6393.
