The US Coast Guard (USCG) is continuing its crackdown on illegal fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

USCG officers interdicted four lanchas on Tuesday (March 11), seizing approximately 2,500 pounds of fish in federal waters off southern Texas. 

Lanchas, which are small fishing boats approximately 20-30 feet long, are used by Mexican fishermen to engage in illegal fishing in the US exclusive economic zone near the US-Mexico border in the gulf, which the administration of US president Donald Trump has ordered now be called the Gulf of America. The USCG said that on Tuesday it detained 16 fishermen who were on four lanchas just north of the maritime boundary line.

"Our crews will continue to relentlessly detect and deter threats to our nation's sovereignty. These illegal activities support trafficking and other criminal activities on our nation's southern maritime border," said Lt. David Anderson, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Daniel Tarr. "Our enduring at-sea presence is vital in combatting these illegal operations."

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Perry Shirzad/U.S. Coast Guard District 8

Just last month the US Coast Guard caught 11 Mexican fishermen off the southern coast of Texas with more than 1,500 lbs of illegally harvested red snapper. In a separate incident, USCG officers in Texas also detained an undocumented crew member from a commercial fishing vessel. In January, another three fishermen were detained and 200 lbs of illegally harvested red snapper were confiscated, as reported by Undercurrent News.