NOAA Fisheries Granted Millions For fishing Monitoringff

In 2006, NOAA Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement received $15.8 million from Congress for the agency’s Cooperative Enforcement Program.

This funding was allocated to 22 states and three territories through multiple joint enforcement agreements designed to increase enforcement of fisheries regulations at-sea, at the docks and on land. In return for the funding the OLE will receive over 246,449 hours of marine patrols, fishing vessel monitoring and water-borne inspections of catches and fishing gear.

Recently, the Office for Law Enforcement granted an additional $4.25 million in Cooperative Enforcement funds to support those state enforcement agencies hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In August, the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources entered into its first agreement with NOAA and received $154,153 to enhance marine enforcement activities. In return, Hawaii’s DOCARE officers will provide 735 hours to NOAA Fisheries Service supporting compliance measures which address federal fisheries and protected marine resources.

“These agreements help us to better meet our regulatory responsibilities,” said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries Service, an agency of the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Regulations have little impact if they can not be enforced.”

Since 2001, the funding for these formal Joint Enforcement Agreements have been appropriated by Congress and have enabled NOAA Fisheries Service to fund these cooperative enforcement efforts. Through these agreements, NOAA greatly broadens the reach of its fisheries enforcement capabilities and builds cooperative understanding at all government levels.

Over the past five years, 26 coastal states and territories have received over $63 million, and have contributed nearly one million hours of enforcement activities.

The Presidential budget proposal for fiscal year 2007 includes $17.5 million being allocated to the Cooperative Enforcement Program to fund Joint Enforcement Agreements.

“These JEAs provide us with more eyes on the water,” said Director Dale J. Jones, Office for Law Enforcement. “Our state partners greatly enhance our enforcement capabilities on the water and at the docks, their proven results have contributed greatly to fisheries management and conservation.”