NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement is dedicated primarily to the enforcement of laws that protect and regulate our nation's living marine resources and their natural habitat. NOAA Fisheries' special agents and enforcement officers have specified authority to enforce over 37 statutes, as well as numerous treaties related to the conservation and protection of marine resources and other matters of concern to NOAA.

Most NOAA Fisheries Enforcement activities are conducted under one of the following laws: the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (Lacey) and/or the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MSA).

The Office for Law Enforcement also plays a key role in the enforcement of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as they relate to marine wildlife.

The OLE also works with a variety of member nations in relation to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The OLE works in conjunction with CCAMLR in particular to Patagonian toothfish importation issues.

NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement also provides direct support to NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) by providing enforcement services to the NOS's 13 National Marine Sanctuaries. Patrols, investigations and outreach efforts are conducted within the sanctuaries by OLE personnel.

Our Approach to Ecosystem Protection and Conservation centers around our four pillars:

• Investigations and Patrols. The OLE investigates both civil and criminal violations, seizes illegal property and contraband, and gathers information on criminal activities. The OLE also has several vessels for conducting patrols and partners with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Civil Air Patrol and state enforcement agencies to conduct a variety of additional patrols and inspections.
• Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS). COPPS promotes voluntary compliance through constituent communication, public awareness and education by committing to community interaction and partnerships.
• Technology & VMS. Developing and expanding advanced technologies such as the Vessel Management Systems (VMS) for world-wide fisheries enforcement.
• Partnerships. The OLE fosters cross-cutting activities with other NOAA offices and promotes partnerships with Federal, state, tribal and foreign enforcement agencies. The OLE also partners with various NGOs and fishing industry partners on a variety of projects.

In addition to the OLE's Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, there are six divisional offices and 59 field offices spanning in from Pago Pago, American Samoa to Ellsworth, Maine, and from Anchorage, Alaska to San Juan, Puerto Rico.