The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted three boats this week that were illegally fishing in federal waters off the coast of South Texas. Fourteen fishermen in total were operating the ships known as “lanchas,” which are long and slender skills equipped with high-powered outboard motors.The Coast Guard captured the vessels with large quantities of illegally caught snapper and sharks onboard. Multiple Coast Guard crews participated in the investigation and interception of the illegal hunting operation. The issue has become so widespread that earlier this year the U.S. banned all Mexican fishing vessels from entering U.S. ports in the Gulf of Mexico.