Coast Guard interdicts lancha illegally fishing in US

Courtesy Photo | Coast Guard Station South Padre Island sets out illegally caught fish and a lanched used to catch them Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. The lancha was used by Mexican fishermen to illegally fish in the waters of the United States. U.S. Coast Guard photo.  

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, UNITED STATES

02.19.2017

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard District 8 PADET Houston

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard law enforcement crews successfully detected and interdicted a Mexican lancha boat illegally fishing in federal waters off southern Texas.

A lancha is a Mexican fishing boat that is approximately 20-30 feet long with a slender profile, typically has one outboard motor, is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour, and is frequently used to fish illegally in the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S./Mexico border.

On Sunday afternoon, Coast Guard crews stopped the lancha with a total of four Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing. The lancha, 164 red snapper totaling 320 pounds, and illegal fishing gear were seized. The Mexican fishermen were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents.

• Date Taken: 02.19.2017
• Date Posted: 02.20.2017 01:44
• Story ID: 224086
• Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, US