CG nabs illegal Gulf poachers

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Coast Guard seized 3,249 pounds of illegal catches from three Mexican fishing boats poaching – with 11 Mexican nationals aboard - in Gulf of Mexico waters off South Padre Island, Texas, on Jan. 8. The “lanchas” were stopped, and illegal catch confiscated (44 sharks, 99 red snapper). The fishermen were using gillnets and long-line fishing gear, and “stealing tons of fish out from under law abiding recreational and commercial fishermen,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Bell, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island. The Mexican nationals were transferred to the CG base for processing. (Source: US Coast Guard 01/09/16)