Coast Guard Station South Padre Island 33-Foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement file photo by PA2 Adam Eggers.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard law enforcement crews detected and interdicted a lancha boat crew illegally fishing in federal waters off southern Texas, Aug. 20, 2019.
The lancha boat, with fishing gear onboard, was seized. The Mexican fishermen were detained and transferred to border enforcement agents for processing.
The operator, a Mexican national, was charged with Title 18 USC 2237, Failure to Heave To or Obstruction of Boarding, which carries a charge of fines and imprisonment of up to 15 years. He was suspected in a May 11, 2019, case where a lancha conducted evasive maneuvering and ultimately struck a Coast Guard boat twice before escaping into Mexico waters.
“The Coast Guard is committed to protecting marine resources within U.S. waterways,” said Capt. Edward Gaynor, Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi commanding officer. “Mariners are reminded to follow instructions given by law enforcement officials while on the water.”
If you witness suspicious activity or illegal fishing in state waters (out to nine miles offshore), please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). For all suspicious activity or illegal fishing occurring in federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450.
