Fishery corruption involving 

Mexican cartels and illegal fishing off the Texas coast is a significant issue, with the U.S. government actively sanctioning individuals connected to these operations. Mexican criminal organizations, notably the Gulf Cartel, use illegal fishing as a revenue stream, which harms the U.S. red snapper fishery and economy. 

Key Details on the Corruption and Illegal Fishing

• Cartel Involvement: U.S. authorities have identified and sanctioned members of the Gulf Cartel who run sophisticated illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations out of Mexico, primarily from Playa Bagdad in Tamaulipas state.
• “Lancha” Operations: Fishermen use fast, slender motorboats called “lanchas” to cross the maritime border into U.S. federal waters, where red snapper and shark species are more abundant due to strict U.S. catch limits. They then transport the catch back to Mexico for sale, sometimes eventually exporting the product back into the U.S..
• Associated Criminal Activity: These lanchas are not only used for illegal fishing but also for smuggling drugs and migrants into the United States.
• Impact on Texas Fishermen: The poaching of millions of dollars worth of fish undermines U.S. conservation efforts and poses an economic threat to legitimate Texas commercial fishermen who adhere to federal regulations.
• Enforcement and Prosecution: The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the DEA, and Texas Parks and Wildlife, regularly interdicts these vessels. A change in policy means apprehended fishermen now face potential federal felony charges, fines of up to $250,000, and imprisonment under the Lacey Act, rather than just being released back to Mexico.
• U.S. Sanctions: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued sanctions against specific individuals in the Gulf Cartel responsible for these operations to disrupt their financial networks. 

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Authorities encourage the public to report suspicious activities related to illegal fishing:

• In state waters (from land to 9 miles offshore), contact “Operation Game Thief” at 1-800-792-GAME (4263).
• In federal waters (out to 200 miles offshore), contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 361-939-0450. 

Fisheries corruption between Texas and Mexico is a multifaceted issue involving illegal fishing, trafficking, and links to organized crime

. The U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies have been cracking down on incursions into U.S. waters by Mexican fishermen, with recent efforts including charges under the Lacey Act and increased vessel and catch seizures. This problem has been exacerbated by a depleted Mexican fishery, leading fishermen to cross into U.S. waters, and is connected to criminal activity, including drug and human smuggling. 

Key aspects of the issue

• Illegal fishing: Mexican fishing boats, often originating from places like Playa Bagdad, frequently cross into U.S. waters to illegally catch red snapper, which is a more lucrative target than what is available in their depleted home waters.
• Organized crime links: Investigations have revealed that some illegal fishing operations are linked to Mexican organized crime groups like the Gulf Cartel, which also use the same vessels for other criminal activities such as human and drug smuggling.
• Enforcement and prosecution:
  • Recent enforcement actions have shifted from simply seizing vessels to prosecuting offenders. For example, four fishermen pleaded guilty to charges under the Lacey Act for illegally trafficking red snapper in U.S. waters in June 2025.
  • Federal agencies are increasing resources for monitoring and interdiction, with the Coast Guard reporting significant increases in seizures of illegally caught fish.
  • The U.S. government is using tools like the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to sanction individuals tied to illegal fishing operations.
• Cross-border cooperation: U.S. agencies are coordinating with Mexican counterparts, such as Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, to address the transnational nature of the problem.
• Impact: Illegal fishing depletes U.S. and international fish stocks and poses a threat to U.S. maritime security by potentially providing a cover for other illegal activities.