The Northeast Division of OLE services approximately 40 percent of the nation's population within a 19-state area, including the 10 coastal states from Maine through Virginia.

Primary enforcement responsibilities of the Division include groundfish, scallops, tuna, swordfish and lobster in addition to the protection of endangered species such as right whales and marine protected areas including the Stellwagen Bank, Monitor and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. Additional Northeast enforcement programs include Days-at-Sea, Vessel Monitoring, Possession/Trip Limits, Record Keeping/Reporting, observers and sectors.

The Division engages in international investigative initiatives such as the importation of illegally harvested species and works in partnership with Canada to manage commerce in living marine resources. Each coastal state in the Division is a partner and participant in the Cooperative Enforcement Program.