Red snapper poaching claims prompt ban of Mexican fishing boats from U.S. ports on Gulf of Mexico

Red snapper poaching claims prompt ban of Mexican fishing boats from U.S. ports on Gulf of Mexico

Source: tampabay

2/8/2022

Red snapper poaching claims prompt ban of Mexican fishing boats from U.S. ports on Gulf of Mexico

Credit: DAVE MARTIN | AP

Mexico on Tuesday defended its fishermen as the U.S. government banned Mexican fishing vessels from U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico because of poaching, saying the incursions were accidental.

The U.S. government says Mexico has not done enough to prevent its boats from illegally fishing for red snapper in U.S. waters in the Gulf.

Mexico’s foreign relations secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, said incidents of fishing by Mexican boats in U.S. waters were mistakes, saying it can be difficult to locate the dividing line between the two countries’ territorial waters.

“Sometimes it is hard to determine the exact line. It’s not something intentional,” Ebrard said.