Tab R, No. 4 Eighth Coast Guard District Mexican Lancha Presentation October 2019
Mexican Lancha Threat • Lanchas are known to operate north of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) on a regular basis • Activity consists primarily or illegal fishing and drug smuggling in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction Problem Area (5,000 Square Miles) US/MEX MBL
Lancha Characteristics • 20‐30 ft long with single 75‐200 horsepower outboard engine • Fiberglass or wooden hulls • Crew of 2‐4 • Longline and gillnet gear
EEZ Incursions • Typically target red snapper and shark • Gear typically deployed and left unattended for 5‐6 hours • Gear may be abandoned due to LE presence or inclement weather
Lancha Detections & Seizures by USCG FY2010 – FY2019 250 211 200 179 177 176 160 152 140 150 133 116 100 74 70 60 45 50 39 35 33 31 21 21 9 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Detections Seizures
Catch on Seized Lanchas (# of Fish) FY2015 – FY2019 6000 4959 5000 4354 4000 3000 2021 2000 1387 872 1000 453 238 198 139 57 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Red Snapper Shark
Catch on Seized Lanchas (lbs) FY2015 – FY2019 30000 26440 24886 25000 3481 20000 Shark 15000 12420 Red Snapper 21405 10000 6720 4730 5000 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Lancha Case Disposition • If not reclaimed by Mexico, lanchas destroyed after 45 days • Catch recorded and disposed at sea • Crew transferred to CBP for deportation to Mexico • Crew are unable to be incarcerated for illegal fishing due to international law • Case packages prepared by USCG and sent to Mexico via CGHQ for prosecution • Repeat offender log indicates some fishermen have been interdicted more than 20 times
Recommend
More recommend
