Eighth Coast Guard District Mexican Lancha Presentation October - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Eighth Coast Guard District

Mexican Lancha Presentation October 2019

Tab R, No. 4

Mexican Lancha Threat

• Lanchas are known to operate north
• f the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL)
• n 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

70 116 140 152 160 211 176 133 179 177 9 21 21 35 33 39 45 31 60 74 50 100 150 200 250 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Detections Seizures

Catch on Seized Lanchas (# of Fish) FY2015 – FY2019

872 2021 1387 4959 4354 57 198 139 238 453 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Red Snapper Shark

Catch on Seized Lanchas (lbs) FY2015 – FY2019

4730 12420 6720 26440 21405 3481 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Shark Red Snapper 24886

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