Feds seize 1,250 pounds of ‘unlawful fish’ in Texas waters

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The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uncovered greater than a half-ton of “illegal fish” final week.

In a press launch printed on Wednesday, the Coast Guard introduced that it seized round 1,250 pounds of illegally-caught fish in waters off of southern Texas on Mar. 5.

Boat crews positioned and detained 19 Mexican fishermen who had been angling aboard 4 totally different lanchas. The Coast Guard defined that the lanchas had been positioned north of the U.S. maritime boundary line.

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Lanchas are a kind of boat utilized by Mexican fishermen. The Coast Guard describes the craft as “approximately 20-30 feet long with a low profile, an outboard motor, and is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 30 mph.”

The U.S. Coast Guard says that it seized “approximately 1,250 pounds” of illegally-caught fish off the shores of Texas. (U.S. Coast Guard)

“After interdicting the lanchas, Coast Guard personnel seized 220 pounds of red snapper in addition to fishing gear and high flyers on board the vessels,” the Coast Guard’s press launch defined.

“Coast Guard crews detained the Mexican fishermen, brought them ashore and transferred the crews to CBP personnel for further processing.”

A complete of 1,250 pounds of fish had been confiscated by authorities. The Coast Guard and CBP had been assisted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Game Wardens.

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“Combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is crucial to safeguarding our valuable resources and protecting the delicate marine environment,” Chief Petty Officer Glenn Jimenez, who serves as a command obligation officer at Sector Corpus Christi, stated in an announcement.

1,250 pounds of fish, primarily purple snappers, had been confiscated by U.S. authorities earlier in March. (U.S. Coast Guard)

“We will continue to collaborate closely with our local, state, federal and international partners to ensure the sustainability of our waters and put a stop to these illicit activities.”

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U.S. authorities are cautious of seeing lanchas in American waters, as one other kind of criminality usually happens in them: narcotics smuggling.

“Lanchas are frequently used to transport illegal narcotics to the U.S. and illegally caught fish in the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S./Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico,” the Coast Guard stated.

In January, the Coast Guard encountered three suspects who had been allegedly caught illegally fishing in waters off of southern Texas. They seized 350 pounds of fish from the suspects.