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A Battle On The Gulf Pits The Coast Guard Against Mexican Red Snapper Poachers

Mexican fishermen tend to their nets on Playa Bagdad (Bagdad Beach), just south of the Texas-Mexico border. Poaching of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico is a multimillion-dollar black market. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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John Burnett/NPR

National

A Battle On The Gulf Pits The Coast Guard Against Mexican Red Snapper Poachers

Mexican fishermen are illegally plundering tons of red snapper from the lower Texas Gulf Coast, raising the ire of the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas fishermen, marine biologists and the federal government.

A Battle On The Gulf Pits The Coast Guard Against Mexican Red Snapper Poachers

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Who Gets To Fish For Red Snapper In The Gulf? It's All Politics

Deckhand Patrick Gallager tosses the day's catch to the dock from the Fairwater Two charter boat. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption

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Debbie Elliott/NPR

The Salt

Who Gets To Fish For Red Snapper In The Gulf? It's All Politics

The fish were nearly wiped out from the Gulf 20 or 30 years ago, so the catch is closely regulated. A Trump administration deal to extend the recreational season has prompted cheers – and concerns.

Who Gets To Fish For Red Snapper In The Gulf? It's All Politics

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