The US Coast Guard (USCG) reports that US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) detained three Mexicans on Tuesday (Jan. 28) for illegal fishing in federal waters off the coast of Texas.

The fishermen's lancha, a 20-30 foot-long vessel often used for illegal fishing or to transport illegal narcotics from Mexico, was intercepted with 200 pounds of red snapper on board, said USCG in a press release. 

"The seized fish will be split and donated to the Harte Institute to support illegal unreported and unregulated fishing research and Sea Turtle Inc. to help feed and rehabilitate turtles," USCG said.

Coast Guard Station South Padre Island crews interdicted a lancha and seized 200 pounds of red snapper. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Station South Padre Island)

The USCG often works with agencies like the CBP to combat illegal fishing. Since the Jan. 20, 2025 inauguration of US president Donald Trump, the two agencies have started working even more hand-in-hand, with the USCG aiding in "alien expulsion" flights as part of Trump's executive order to enforce immigration laws in the country.

Meanwhile, President Trump's immigration crackdown has hit other areas of the seafood industry, with a raid at a seafood processing and distribution plant in Newark, New Jersey, resulting in the arrest of three people, as reported by Undercurrent News.

Importers are also keeping a close eye as the president threatened to hit Colombia with tariffs and enhanced inspections of flights, private aircraft and cargo if the country didn't allow the transport plane to land. A White House spokesperson said that Colombia did ultimately agree to Trump's terms.