Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries
Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2002

NOAA FISHERIES AGREEMENT PROVIDES OREGON $100,000
FOR ADDITIONAL MARINE ENFORCEMENT PATROLS

The National Marine Fisheries Service's Office of Law Enforcement is providing $100,000 in a joint enforcement agreement with the State of Oregon's Police, Fish and Wildlife Division to conduct additional patrols that enforce marine fisheries regulations at-sea, dock-side, and on land over the next year. Marine Fisheries is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U. S. Department of Commerce.

The agreement allows Oregon enforcement officers to conduct more than 600 hours of patrols to monitor compliance with federal and state environmental protection acts. Joint enforcement agreement funds will also enable the state to purchase and equip two patrol vessels for use in both inland and offshore waters.

"This agreement will help us meet our regulatory responsibilities and improve the health of our fisheries populations," said Tom Shuler, special-agent-in-charge of OLE's Northwest Office. "These new partnerships are a step in the right direction." "By providing funds to state agencies, NOAA greatly broadens the reach of its fisheries enforcement capabilities and builds cooperative understandings at all government levels," said OLE Chief Dale Jones.

OLE has developed and implemented JEAs with 23 coastal states and territories. Although various enforcement agreements have existed in previous years, last year Congress appropriated the funding necessary to support and expand OLE's partnerships through a cooperative enforcement program. In all, the 23 coastal states and territories will receive more than $14.6 million.

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement, and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat. For more on NOAA Fisheries: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov.