The Southeast Division of OLE extends from North Carolina southward to Florida and around the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of Texas. The Division also encompasses the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Southeast Division has a broad range of enforcement responsibilities in recreational and commercial marine fisheries, from covering finfish such as snapper and grouper and including commercial catch share programs to Highly Migratory Species such as shark, tuna and swordfish. In addition, the Southeast Division monitors protected resources such as dolphins and marine turtles and three National Marine Sanctuaries (Florida Keys, Gray's Reef and Flower Garden Banks).

The Division works closely with the United States Coast Guard and state partners to provide patrol services necessary to monitor the fisheries regulations enacted by the three Fisheries Management Councils in the Southeast. Although Southeast enforcement personnel play a role in routine enforcement, Special Agents often become involved in investigating and documenting complex violations such as dedicated poaching schemes, the detection of which requires the use of special investigative techniques, and interstate and international trade of illegally taken product in violation of the Lacey Act.

The Southeast Division also incorporates a Community Oriented Policing Program and outreach as part of its enforcement philosophy.