US Coast Guard Embarks on Sea Pursuit With Mexican Poachers

The United States Coast Guard intercepted a Mexican fishing vessel on February 6 after observing the crew members poaching fish in US waters, situated off the South Padre Island. A helicopter and boat patrol chased the lancha across the sea during a 30-minute pursuit before successfully stopping the vessel.

Four Mexican nationals, who were aboard the lancha, admitted to fishing illegally in US waters. They were carrying 12 red snappers, 2 nurse sharks and 1 grouper, totalling 150 pounds.

“Mexican lanchas have no legitimate reason to operate in US waters, yet we estimate that there are over 1,100 incursions into our waters annually," said Lieutenant Commander Nathan Allen, chief of enforcement for Sector Corpus Christi. Credit: United States Coast Guard