US Coast Guard Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Fishing in Gulf of Mexico

In a continuing effort to combat illegal fishing activities, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has apprehended four Mexican nationals in a recent operation off the Texas coast.

Detention of Fishermen

The fishermen were spotted allegedly engaged in illegal fishing within US federal waters. Upon inspection, USCG crews discovered approximately 450 pounds of red snapper on board their vessel, as well as various fishing gear and equipment. The individuals were taken into custody and subsequently transferred to US Customs and Border Protection for further processing.

Previous Incidents and Legal Actions

This latest incident follows previous seizures and arrests that occurred in March. On May 15, a grand jury in Brownsville, Texas, indicted four other Mexican fishermen for unlawfully transporting fish harvested from US waters. These fishermen, identified as Miguel Angel Ramirez-Vidal (32), Jesus David Luna-Marquez (20), Jesus Roberto Morales-Amador (27), and Jose Daniel Santiago-Mendoza (22), were detained on April 17 after attempting to illegally transport approximately 315 kilograms of red snapper.

Legal Consequences

The men are set to have their arraignment hearing on May 22. If convicted, they face serious legal repercussions, including potential sentences of up to five years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000, according to a press release from the US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

The heightened enforcement of fishing regulations underscores the USCG’s commitment to preserving marine resources and ensuring the sustainability of fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico.