GCEL HOME GCEL Offices FAQs Penalty Schedules Procedural Regulations

THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL FOR ENFORCEMENT AND LITIGATION The Office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation (GCEL) coordinates and implements the NOAA General Counsel's delegated authority as NOAA's civil prosecutor. The office prosecutes civil penalty cases, permit sanctions, and administrative forfeitures; provides support to the U.S. Department of Justice in prosecution of law enforcement cases in Federal courts and formulates NOAA's position in such cases; establishes national law enforcement policy in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries Enforcement and NOAA program offices; provides legal support to NOAA Fisheries Enforcement and other NOAA offices, including the Sustainable Fisheries Division and Protected Resources Division; and advises NOAA officials on specific enforcement cases and general enforcement trends and issues. GCEL has fifteen attorneys, two paralegals, and one support staff. The Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation is Richard Mannix. Charles Green is the Deputy Assistant General Counsel. Contact Information: The Office of GeneralCounsel for Enforcement and Litigation 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Telephone: 301/427-2202 Fax: 301/427-2211