Special to the PRESS
February 12, 2015
Four Mexican nationals fishing illegally in the Gulf of Mexico were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after their boat began sinking. The incident happened Saturday night at about 8 p.m. approximately 30 miles off the South Padre Island coast north of the U.S-Mexico maritime border in what is known as the Exclusive Economic Zone. The distressed boat crew was spotted by a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Brant.
The illegal bounty consisting of two sharks, 17 red snapper, several additional reef fish (all alive) were released back into the sea and all gear found aboard was seized.
After being rescued, the three men and one minor were transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This incident comes hours after a similar incident involving illegal fishing in which multiple poachers were chased south of the border.
For any knowledge or suspicions of illegal fishing occurring in federal waters contact the U.S. Coast Guard at (361) 939-6393.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
Comments