Enforcement | NOAA Fisheries

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class="hero__banner" style="background-image: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(2, 22, 39, .73), rgba(0, 51, 93, .59) 50%, rgba(6, 45, 98, 0)), url('/s3//styles/inline_field_banner/s3/dam-migration/1280x800-noaa-ole-vessel.jpg?itok=pJ5Xz-P8');"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="hero__content col-md-12"> <h1 class="hero__title display">Enforcement</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-subnav__wrapper topic_wrapper"><div class="container hero-sub-nav__container"> <nav class="hero-sub-nav"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="/topic/enforcement/overview" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav hero-sub-nav__link--active" data-id="overview">Overview</a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="/topic/enforcement/vessel-monitoring" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav " data-id="vessel-monitoring">Vessel Monitoring</a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="/topic/enforcement/cooperative-enforcement" class="sub-nav__link link 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class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div class="meta-title"></div> <div class="meta-decs">NOAA Fisheries enforces more than 40 laws, along with international treaties, designed to protect marine life and their habitat.</div> </div> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Beyond science and regulations, we enforce more than 40 laws designed to protect marine life and their habitat. We enforce domestic laws and international treaty requirements to ensure these global marine resources are available for future generations. In partnership with states and other federal agencies, our special agents and enforcement officers work on all U.S. coasts and inland riverways to ensure compliance with the nation’s marine resource laws and take enforcement action when violators disobey the laws.</p> <p>Our primary jurisdiction is the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 230 miles (200 nautical miles) off the U.S. coast. In total, our enforcement operations cover more than 95,000 miles of coastline and more than 4 million square miles of ocean. This includes 14 marine sanctuaries and five marine national monuments.</p> <p>Key laws we enforce:</p> <ul><li><a href="/topic/laws-and-policies#magnuson-stevens-act">Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act</a></li> <li><a href="/topic/laws-and-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> <li><a href="/topic/laws-and-policies#endangered-species-act">Endangered Species Act</a> </li> <li><a href="/topic/laws-and-policies#more-laws">Lacey Act and more </a> </li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__extra-content"> <hr> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-list__title horizontal-list__title--small">Featured News</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/2000x1333-2024-sea-scallop-survey-blog-habcam-stella-back-deck-nefsc.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&amp;itok=F_kkmZkp" width="540" height="360" alt="A scientist wearing a personal flotation device squats in front of a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle typing on a laptop while on the back deck of a research vessel at sea." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption"> Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineer Owen Ceserano downloads images collected from a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle called “Stella” on deck of R/V Hugh R. Sharp. HabCam can be seen in the background. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Zach Fyke </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Podcast</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/podcast/2024-winter-news-roundup" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>2024 Winter News Roundup</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="national"> <a class="link link--region link--region-national" href="/about-us">National</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/eel-case-seizure-_puerto-Rico.jpg?h=08b866d1&amp;itok=dDAmHm2H" width="540" height="360" alt="NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement agent, U.S. Coast Guard officers, and Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources rangers process seized eels in San Juan, Puerto Rico." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement agent, U.S. Coast Guard officers, and Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources rangers process seized eels in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Credit: NOAA Fisheries</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/illegal-wildlife-smuggling-operation-shut-down-puerto-rico" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Illegal Wildlife Smuggling Operation Shut Down in Puerto Rico</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-10/Hawaiin-spinner-dolphin-PIFSC-20220524.jpg?h=790be497&amp;itok=_nJ7BKlG" width="540" height="360" alt="Two Hawaiian spinner dolphins swim side-by-side at the surface of the water." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/caught-waves-cost-getting-too-close-hawaiian-spinner-dolphins" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Caught in the Waves: The Cost of Getting Too Close to Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-10/california-sea-lion-shot.jpg?h=10d202d3&amp;itok=-2L67t-i" width="540" height="360" alt="Deceased sea lion on a beach" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">The California sea lion was estimated at about 2 years old when it was found shot in the back at Bolsa Chica State Beach August 7, 2024.</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/reward-offered-information-shooting-sea-lion-found-alive-bolsa-chica-state-beach" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Reward Offered for Information on Shooting of Sea Lion Found Alive on Bolsa Chica State Beach</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer horizontal-list__footer--center"> <a href="/news-and-announcements/news?title=&field_topics_vocab_target_id%5B51%5D=51" class="button button--primary">View More News</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer horizontal-list__footer--center"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/program-office-page/contact-us-enforcement">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/enforcement/enforcement-actions">Recent Enforcement Actions</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/longform/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units">Vessel Monitoring System Type Approvals</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/office-law-enforcement-press-releases">Enforcement Related News </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/about/office-law-enforcement">About the Office of Law Enforcement </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row sub-nav__footer-content"> <div class="col-md-12 col-lg-12"> <hr> <div class="quick-fact"> <div class="quick-fact__fact"> <span class="quick-fact__label">FACT</span> <h2 class="quick-fact__title">40+ laws enforced by NOAA Fisheries</h2> <div class="quick-fact__content"><p>These include the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Lacey Act, and North Pacific Halibut Act.</p> </div> </div> <div class="quick-fact__fact"> <span class="quick-fact__label">FACT</span> <h2 class="quick-fact__title">4+ million square miles of open-ocean and 95,000 miles of coastline</h2> <div class="quick-fact__content"><p>Our primary jurisdiction is the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 230 miles (200 nautical miles) off the U.S. coast. In total, our enforcement operations cover more than 95,000 miles of coastline and over 4 million square miles of ocean. This includes 14 marine sanctuaries and five marine national monuments.</p> </div> </div> <div class="quick-fact__fact"> <span class="quick-fact__label">FACT</span> <h2 class="quick-fact__title">4,000+ fishing vessels</h2> <div class="quick-fact__content"><p>The number of fishing vessels monitored by our Vessel Monitoring System. It is the largest national VMS fleet in the world.</p> </div> </div> <a href="#" class="link link--text quick-fact__another-fact"><span class="fa fa-sync-alt"></span>Show me another fact</a> </div> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3> Report a Violation </h3><p>Call (800) 853-1964 to report possible violations of our federal marine resource laws. We provide live operator coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in the United States. During business hours, you also may call the closest Office of Law Enforcement office to report a possible violation.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Learn more on what to report</a></p> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3> Wildlife Viewing Guidelines</h3><p>Watching marine animals in their natural habitat can be a positive way to promote conservation and respect for the animals and the marine environment. However, human activities—even those that might seem harmless or be well intended—can disturb animals, destroy important habitats, and even result in injury to people and animals. Please learn how to responsibly share the shore and sea with marine life for your safety and theirs and because it’s the law.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines">Learn more about marine mammal viewing guidelines</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Enforcement Priorities </h3><p>We established enforcement priorities that outline our focus on making enforcement work as effectively and efficiently as possible for sustainable fisheries management and the protection and conservation of marine species. While the identified priority areas will be our focus, we will continue to encourage compliance with and enforce all of the marine statutes and regulations we are responsible for.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/enforcement/resources">Learn more about our enforcement priorities</a></p> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Compliance Assistance </h3><p dir="ltr">We want to help you abide the laws and regulations enacted to conserve and protect our nation's marine resources. The rules change frequently, and we want to keep you informed. Through compliance assistance, we help educate users about the rules so they can take the appropriate actions.  </p><p dir="ltr"><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/compliance-assistance">Learn more about our compliance hand outs</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list-featured"> <h2 class="horizontal-list-featured__title">Multimedia</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/"> <div class="horizontal-list-featured__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/seals_of_approval.jpg" alt="NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery Default Thumbnail Image"> </div> </div> <span class="horizontal-list-featured__image-icon fa fa-play"></span> </div> </a> <h3 class="horizontal-list-featured__subtitle"><a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/">NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery</a></h3> </div> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/2000x1333-2024-sea-scallop-survey-blog-habcam-stella-back-deck-nefsc.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&amp;itok=F_kkmZkp" width="540" height="360" alt="A scientist wearing a personal flotation device squats in front of a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle typing on a laptop while on the back deck of a research vessel at sea." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption"> Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineer Owen Ceserano downloads images collected from a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle called “Stella” on deck of R/V Hugh R. Sharp. HabCam can be seen in the background. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Zach Fyke </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Podcast</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/podcast/2024-winter-news-roundup" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>2024 Winter News Roundup</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="national"> <a class="link link--region link--region-national" href="/about-us">National</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-09/750x500-photo_-_new_england_commercial_fishing_trawl_vessel_nefsc.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=YkZ7KiHd" width="540" height="360" alt="New England commercial fishing trawl vessel." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">New England commercial fishing trawl vessel. Credit: NOAA Fisheries</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Podcast</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/podcast/seafood-fraud-how-codfather-case-helps-combat-mislabeling" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Seafood Fraud: How the Codfather Case Helps Combat Mislabeling</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=vessel-monitoring> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Vessel Monitoring</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t1-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Vessel Monitoring System allows us to use 21st century technologies to monitor compliance, track violators, and provide substantial evidence for prosecution.</p><h3>How We Use It</h3><p dir="ltr">VMS is used to support law enforcement initiatives and to prevent violations of laws and regulations. VMS also helps enforcement personnel focus their patrol time on areas with the highest potential for significant violations.</p><p dir="ltr">The VMS program currently monitors more than 4,000 vessels. It is the largest national VMS fleet in the world. The system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with near-perfect accuracy, which is why the program is of interest to other users, including the U.S. Coast Guard, academia, and the coastal states. VMS data is, by law, subject to strict confidentiality requirements.</p><h3 dir="ltr">How It Works</h3><p dir="ltr">VMS is a satellite surveillance system primarily used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and treaty areas. The system uses satellite-based communications from on-board transceiver units, which certain vessels are required to carry. The transceiver units send position reports that include vessel identification, time, date, and location, and are mapped and displayed on the end user’s computer screen.</p><p dir="ltr">Each vessel typically sends position reports once an hour, but increases intervals when the vessel is approaching an environmentally sensitive area. Alerts can be sent to the VMS technicians and other personnel when a particular vessel location might require additional inquiry or contact with the vessel operator.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Other Uses for the Vessel Monitoring System</h3><ul dir="ltr"><li>Managing sensitive and protected areas, like marine sanctuaries.</li><li>Monitoring activity and arrivals in port to plan for sampling.</li><li>Supporting catch share programs.</li><li>Tracking, monitoring, and predicting fishing effort, activity, and location.</li><li>Managing observer programs.</li><li>Verifying/validating data from other sources.</li><li>Identifying fishing vessels.</li></ul><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/longform/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units">Learn more about the types of approved VMS units</a></p><h3>Regional Vessel Monitoring System Information</h3><ul class="list--arrow" dir="ltr"><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#alaska">Alaska </a></li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#northeast-greater-atlantic-region">Northeast</a>  </li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a>  </li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#southeast">Southeast</a>  </li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#west-coast">West Coast</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/regional-vessel-monitoring-information#atlantic-highly-migratory-species">Atlantic Highly Migratory Species</a></li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Assistance</h3><p dir="ltr">For program management inquiries, contact Kelly Spalding at <a href="mailto:kelly.spalding@noaa.gov">kelly.spalding@noaa.gov</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">For VMS compliance and technical assistance, contact VMS Support at <a href="mailto:ole.helpdesk@noaa.gov">ole.helpdesk@noaa.gov</a> or (888) 219-9228.</p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Vessel Monitoring-title" class="meta-title">Commercial Vessel Monitoring System</div> <div id="Vessel Monitoring-gt" class="meta-decs">The Vessel Monitoring System is a satellite surveillance system that prevents commercial fishing vessels from violating laws and regulations that protect marine life.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/longform/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units">Type-Approved VMS Units</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e4e761243c0f45783e0bf0f36e411157&mc=true&node=sp50.12.600.q&rgn=div6#se50.12.600_11507">Vessel Monitoring System Requirements</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/program-office-page/contact-us-enforcement">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/enforcement/enforcement-actions">Recent Enforcement Actions</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=cooperative-enforcement> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Cooperative Enforcement </h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t2-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p dir="ltr">The Cooperative Enforcement Program aims to increase living marine resource conservation, endangered species protection, and critical habitat enforcement while strengthening state and territorial enforcement resources.</p><p dir="ltr">The program uses two main tools to accomplish its goals:</p><ul dir="ltr"><li>Cooperative Enforcement Agreements, which authorize state and U.S. territorial marine conservation law enforcement officers to enforce federal laws and regulations.</li><li>Joint Enforcement Agreements, which include a formal operations plan that transfers funds to state and U.S. territorial law enforcement agencies to perform law enforcement services in support of federal regulations.</li></ul><p dir="ltr">We partner with state and territorial marine and natural resource enforcement agencies to enhance our active presence, visibility, and interactions with the regulated industry. Partnerships with these enforcement agencies help promote compliance with federal laws and regulations under our purview, and our law enforcement agents and officers leverage Joint Enforcement Agreement partnerships to conduct joint operations.</p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Cooperative Enforcement -title" class="meta-title">Enforcement Partnerships with U.S. States and Territories</div> <div id="Cooperative Enforcement -gt" class="meta-decs">NOAA Fisheries partners with U.S. states and territorial agencies to better enforce federal laws and regulations that protect marine life and habitats.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/program-office-page/contact-us-enforcement">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/enforcement/enforcement-actions">Recent Enforcement Actions</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/enforcement/office-law-enforcement-press-releases">Enforcement Related News </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/about/office-law-enforcement">About the Office of Law Enforcement </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=international-enforcement> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">International Enforcement</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t3-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The United States is one of the world’s leading destinations for globally harvested seafood. Estimates indicate that more than 80 percent of the seafood consumed annually in the United States is imported.</p><p>We work with various international organizations to protect and conserve global marine resources. This means that in addition to national laws, we enforce international laws, treaties, and agreements that the United States signs as they relate to areas under our jurisdiction.</p><p>NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement prioritizes efforts with foreign countries, federal partners, and non-governmental organizations to detect and prevent IUU fish and fish products from entering U.S. markets. We bring to justice those who seek to profit from this activity. In support of this priority, our International Operations Division leads a multi-faceted approach that includes:</p><ul><li>Monitoring imports into the United States, as well as seafood products in global trade</li><li>Partnering with other federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud throughout the United States</li><li>Engaging in multilateral and bilateral discussions with international partners to create enforceable provisions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and develop cooperation and collaboration in detecting, deterring, and interdicting IUU fishing activity and trade</li><li>Supporting broad and effective global implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement</li><li>Providing technical assistance to global partners, with emphasis on major exporters of seafood to the United States, to assist in developing the fisheries enforcement capacity to detect and interdict IUU fish and fish products before they enter the global market</li><li>Educating the public, consumers, and international audiences about the impacts of IUU fishing and fishing-related activities</li></ul><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing">Learn more about Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing</a></p><h3>Working Internationally with Law Enforcement Partners</h3><p>NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement relies on cooperation and partnerships at home and abroad in the protection and conservation of global marine resources. At home, OLE has forged critical partnerships to coordinate counter-IUU fishing assistance in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Along with other NOAA offices, we partner with:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/enforcement#cooperative-enforcement">State and territorial law enforcement partners</a></li><li>U.S. Coast Guard</li><li>Department of State and its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement division</li><li>U.S. Agency for International Development</li><li>Department of Defense</li></ul><p>Beyond our borders, international partnerships—both formal and informal—play a critical role in our efforts to combat IUU fishing.</p><h4>Information Sharing and Cooperation</h4><p>NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement continually works to increase our collaboration with international partners. These activities include information sharing, joint law enforcement operations, technical assistance to increase fisheries enforcement capacity, and participation in meetings between two or more countries.</p><p>Examples of international cooperation and information sharing:</p><ul><li>Member of international organizations specifically designed to combat IUU fishing such as <a href="https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Environmental-crime/Fisheries-crime">INTERPOL’s Fisheries Crime Working Group</a></li><li>Participant in, and advocate of, the <a href="http://www.imcsnet.org/">International Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Network</a>, a voluntary global organization specifically focused on fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance practitioners—inspectors, investigators, and prosecutors</li><li>Supporter of the <a href="http://www.rpoaiuu.org/">Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices Including Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing</a> in the Southeast Asia Region</li><li>Observer to the “<a href="https://redpescaindnr.org/index.php/index?lang=en">Network of Exchange of information and experiences among Latin American and Caribbean countries to Prevent, Discourage and Eliminate IUU Fishing</a>,” which enhances information sharing and collaboration with all of the fisheries law enforcement entities engaged in this network</li><li>In addition, we have formal agreements with the European Union and Russia to share information and cooperate to combat IUU fishing and trafficking in IUU fish products</li></ul><h4>Participating in International Regional Fisheries Management Organizations</h4><p>NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement represents the United States on numerous <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/international-affairs/international-and-regional-fisheries-management-organizations">regional fisheries management organizations</a>. We serve on U.S. delegations to annual and intersessional meetings to provide enforcement expertise on compliance issues and the development of new conservation and management measures. Some larger commissions we participate in include:</p><ul class="list--arrow"><li><a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en/organisation/about-ccamlr">Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources</a></li><li><a href="https://www.iccat.int/en/">International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas</a></li><li><a href="https://www.iattc.org/HomeENG.htm">Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission</a></li><li><a href="https://www.npfc.int/">North Pacific Fisheries Commission</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nafo.int/About-us">Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sprfmo.int/">South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization</a></li><li><a href="https://www.wcpfc.int/about-wcpfc">Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission</a></li></ul><h4>Implementing the Port State Measures Agreement</h4><p><span>The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing seeks to prevent IUU fishing through the adoption and implementation of effective port state measures. These measures are a means of ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine life. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is the primary agency responsible for implementing the Agreement, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/enforcement/frequent-questions-implementing-port-state-measures-agreement">Learn more about the PSMA and OLE’s work to implement it</a></p><h4>Capacity Building and Technical Assistance</h4><p>The international community consistently seeks NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement’s expertise in environmental crime, criminal investigations, the fishing industry, vessel monitoring systems, and case management. Much of our international work focuses on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through capacity building and technical assistance to international partners and agencies through government to government interactions.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/enforcement-efforts-combat-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing#counter-iuu-fishing-technical-assistance-and-capacity-building">Learn more about our efforts to combat IUU fishing</a></p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="International Enforcement-title" class="meta-title">International Enforcement Work and Partnerships</div> <div id="International Enforcement-gt" class="meta-decs">NOAA Fisheries works with international organizations to enforce international laws, treaties, and agreements that protect and conserve global marine resources.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/international-affairs-1">NOAA Fisheries: International Affairs</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="http://www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/">The National Ocean Council Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="http://www.fao.org/fisheries/en/">Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-marine-conservation/illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing/">Department of State IUU</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=enforcement-actions> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Enforcement Actions</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t4-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>On a weekly basis, we'll post highlights of our enforcement actions below and examples of high-interest violation notices. This does not include all weekly actions taken by our officers or special agents.</p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Enforcement Actions-title" class="meta-title">Weekly Fishery and Protected Resources Enforcement Reports</div> <div id="Enforcement Actions-gt" class="meta-decs">Find weekly highlights of NOAA Fisheries enforcement actions and examples of high-interest violation notices.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.noaa.gov/general-counsel/general-counsel-organization/enforcement-section/penalty-policy-and-schedules">Enforcement Civil/Administrative Penalty Schedules</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.noaa.gov/general-counsel/general-counsel-organization/enforcement-section/enforcement-decisions-and-orders">General Counsel Enforcement Decisions and Orders</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/program-office-page/contact-us-enforcement">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/generic-page/report-violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/enforcement/office-law-enforcement-press-releases">Enforcement Related News </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12 col-lg-12"> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=resources> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Enforcement Documents and Maps</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents and maps on NOAA Fisheries' work to enforce laws, treaties, and international agreements that protect marine life and their habitat. </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Documents</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/thong-tin-nhac-nho-ngu-dan-danh-bat-tom-ve-viec-lap-dat-dung-quy-dinh-thiet-bi"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/thong-tin-nhac-nho-ngu-dan-danh-bat-tom-ve-viec-lap-dat-dung-quy-dinh-thiet-bi"> <span>Thông tin nhắc nhở ngư dân đánh bắt tôm về việc lắp đặt đúng quy định thiết bị điều hướng tôm kiểu Chauvin có lối thoát cho rùa</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">hướng tôm kiểu Chauvin được lắp đặt không đúng quy định trong lưới kéo tôm. Việc lắp đặt không đúng…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/recordatorio-para-los-pescadores-de-camarones-sobre-la-instalacion-autorizada-del"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/recordatorio-para-los-pescadores-de-camarones-sobre-la-instalacion-autorizada-del"> <span>Recordatorio para los pescadores de camarones sobre la instalación autorizada del deflector de camarones Chauvin con dispositivos excluidores de tortugas marinas</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">El Servicio Nacional de Pesquerías Marinas de la NOAA tiene constancia de un elevado número de…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/reminder-shrimp-fishermen-authorized-installation-chauvin-shrimp-deflector-turtle"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/reminder-shrimp-fishermen-authorized-installation-chauvin-shrimp-deflector-turtle"> <span>Reminder to Shrimp Fishermen on the Authorized Installation of the Chauvin Shrimp Deflector with Turtle Excluder Devices</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">NOAA Fisheries has reports of a high number of incorrectly-installed Chauvin shrimp deflectors in…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/noaas-office-law-enforcement-priorities-2023-2027"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/noaas-office-law-enforcement-priorities-2023-2027"> <span>NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement Priorities 2023-2027</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">These priorities were developed through an extensive stakeholder engagement process and included an…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="national"> <a class="link link--region link--region-national" href="/about-us">National</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/documents?title=&topic%5B51%5D=51&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Documents</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Enforcement Documents and Maps</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents and maps on NOAA Fisheries' work to enforce laws, treaties, and international agreements that protect marine life and their habitat. </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Data & Maps</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/data/list-approved-electronic-monitoring-em-service-providers"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Data</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/data/list-approved-electronic-monitoring-em-service-providers"> <span>List of Approved Electronic Monitoring (EM) Service Providers</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Electronic Monitoring service providers approved for the 2024 and 2025 fishing years</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/map/storymap-protecting-marine-species-pacific-islands"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Map</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/map/storymap-protecting-marine-species-pacific-islands"> <span>Storymap: Protecting Marine Species in the Pacific Islands</span> </a> </h3> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/data-and-maps?title=&combine=All&topic%5B51%5D=51&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Data and Maps</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Enforcement Documents and Maps</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents and maps on NOAA Fisheries' work to enforce laws, treaties, and international agreements that protect marine life and their habitat. </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Outreach & Education</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/safe-boating-around-sea-turtles-poster"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/safe-boating-around-sea-turtles-poster"> <span>Safe Boating Around Sea Turtles Poster</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Outreach poster developed by NOAA Fisheries and the Hawai'i Division of Boating and Ocean…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/compliance-guide-sablefish-electronic-fish-tickets"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/compliance-guide-sablefish-electronic-fish-tickets"> <span>Compliance Guide: Sablefish Electronic Fish Tickets</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Plain-language summary of changes to to fishing regulations regarding new requirements for…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/compliance-guide-vessel-monitoring-program-pacific-coast-groundfish"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/compliance-guide-vessel-monitoring-program-pacific-coast-groundfish"> <span>Compliance Guide: Vessel Monitoring Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Compliance Guide for 2020 changes to the Vessel Monitoring System Program, updated May 2020</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/approved-models-and-equipment-careful-release-sea-turtles-caught-gulf"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/approved-models-and-equipment-careful-release-sea-turtles-caught-gulf"> <span>Approved Models and Equipment for Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught in Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery and South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Information to help fishermen comply with sea turtle release requirements contained in regulations…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" 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