NOAA FISHERIES OFFICE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the
Revolutionary War, mentioned rights of U.S. fishermen.
1818 Convention Respecting Fisheries between the U.S.
and U.K. signed
1871 Feb 9, the United States Fish Commission of Fish
and Fisheries is formed when the President appoints the
first Commissioner of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries.
This is the first federal agency concerned with natural
resources.
1888 Jan 20, Congress established the US Fish Commission
as an independent agency of the Federal government.
1900 The Lacey Act took effect as the first federal law
protecting game.
1903 In Feb, The Fish Commission transferred to the Bureau
of Fisheries within the new Department of Commerce and
Labor.
1906 Sponge Act enacted, the first federal regulation
of marine fisheries.
1913 Department of Labor separated from the Department
of Commerce, which retains the Bureau of Fisheries.
1915 Department of Commerce and Labor became the Department
of Commerce.
1930 Although law enforcement work has long been a part
of many U.S. Fish Commission and Bureau activities, an
official Division of Law Enforcement is finally established
this year. This is the predecessor of the Office for Law
Enforcement.
1939 Bureau of Fisheries within the Department of Commerce
and the Bureau of Biological Survey within the Department
of Agriculture were transferred to the Department of Interior.
1940 Bureau of Fisheries combined with the Bureau of Biological
Survey into the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries within the
Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service;
in addition, it provides for the establishment of five
regional fisheries offices. All law enforcement responsibilities
continued to reside in the Division of Game Management.
1956 Department of Interior divides Bureau of Fisheries
into Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife. Wildlife law enforcement responsibilities
were placed in the Branch Management and Enforcement of
the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.
1970 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is formed.
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and some activities of
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife are incorporated
into the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department
of Commerce.
The Office of Law Enforcement is formed within NOAA.
1977 First Notice Of Violation and Assessment (NOVAs)
issued.
1983 The Law of the Sea Treaty is signed and established
a 200-mile limit, inside which countries had the exclusive
right to regulate fishing.
1987 In May, an organizational restructuring gave the
Office of Enforcement direct line authority over all
NMFS enforcement
operations.
1994 The OLE embarks on a satellite-based vessel monitoring
program, known as Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).
1995 Office of Law Enforcement amends name to the Office
for Law Enforcement. (HQ)
The OLE adopts Community Oriented Policing and Problem
Solving (COPPS) as a national initiative designed to
empower communities and individuals to actively participate
in their local conservation management.
In June, the OLE activates the OLE 1-800 Hotline number
allowing citizens to call in complaints and concerns 24
hours a day/ 7 days a week.
1999 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) now commonly
referred to as NOAA Fisheries.
2000 30th Anniversary of NOAA
2001 The first Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) is enacted
and implemented. This would eventually lead to additional
JEAs
with 19 states and 4 U.S. territories.
OLE special agents across the country provide support
and assistance to numerous other federal agencies following
the
Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.
2003 In April, the Pacific Island Division was formed,
consisting of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and other U.S.
territories in
the Western Pacific.