The Law Enforcement Committee
The Law Enforcement Committee (LEC) is a standing committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and its duties are outlined in the Interstate Fisheries Management Program Charter. The LEC is a unique body of professionals in marine fisheries enforcement. It is comprised of representatives from each of the Commission's participating states and the District of Columbia. Members also represent NOAA Fisheries Service, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (see current roster and non-emergency/emergency contact list).
The LEC meets twice a year, during the Commission's annual and spring meetings.
Additional meetings and conference calls may be held as needed. The LEC provides
advice and guidance to Commission members and staff in the following areas:
- Provides input on the efficacy and enforceability of proposed regulations in
management plans - Reports on effectiveness and recommends improvements for existing management plans.
- Brings emerging enforcement issues or concerns to the attention of the Commission.
- Provides a forum for the review and exchange of enforcement information and areas of concern.
- Provides a forum for coordinating law enforcement efforts across jurisdictions and for sharing resources.
- Considers needs and opportunities for enhancing stakeholder awareness of and compliance with Commission management plans and resulting regulations.
- Provides a unique opportunity for law enforcement officials to work together to explore new techniques, discuss funding and budget needs, provide advice and input to member states and agencies, and to consider long-term needs for marine fisheries management enforcement programs.
Contacts
- Kurt Blanchard, Coordinator
- Law Enforcement Committee
- Chair, Captain Jason Snellbaker, NJ Divison of Fish & Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Marine Region Offfice
Meeting Summaries
- 2023 Oct May July
- 2019 May
- 2018 Oct May
- 2017 Oct May
- 2016 Oct May
- 2015 Oct May
- 2014 May Oct
- 2013 May Oct
- 2012 May Oct
- 2011 Nov
Publications
Reports to Species Management Boards
- American Eel
- American Lobster
- Comments on Draft Addendum XXV (March 2017)
- LEC Input on Management Issues under Discussion (July 2017)
- LEC Report on Maine Trap Tag Transferability Program (July 2016)
- LEC Report to the Board on V-Notch Regulations (December 2012)
- Comments on Draft Addendum XVII (October 2011)
- Re-examination of Issues Relating to V-Notch Enforcement (August 2006)
- Response to Lobster Management Board Request to Examine Issues Relating tp V-Notch Enforcement (October 2004)
- Atlantic Herring
- Atlantic Menhaden
- Atlantic Striped Bass
- LEC Comments on Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum II (Jan 2024)
- LEC Input on Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7 Options for Recreational Release Mortality (April 2022)
- Enforcement of Fishing Prohibitions in the EEZ (March 2014)
- Addendum IV Law Enforcement Review of Management Options (January 2015)
- Recommendations on Draft Addendum III
- The Chespeake Bay Striped Bass Investigation: Recommendations of the Interstate Watershed Taskforce and the ASMFC Law Enforcement Committee (January 2012)
- Black Sea Bass
- Bluefish
- Coastal Sharks
- Horseshoe Crab
- Jonah Crab
- Spiny Dogfish
- Summer Flounder
- Tautog
- Draft Amendment 1 (July 2017)
- LEC Comments of Different Tautog Management Measures within One State (March 2017)
- Commercial Harvest Tagging Program (January 2016)
- LEC Subcommittee Report on Illegal Harvest of Tautog (October 2015)
- LEC Review of Draft Addendum VI for Public Comment (March 2011)
- Review of FMP and Enforcement Efforts (July 2010)
- Law Enforcement Review (August 2007)
- Comments on Regulatory Ideas for Tautog (May 2007)
ASMFC Law Enforcement Committee Members Websites
States
- Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police
- Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Maine Department of Marine Resources
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Massachusetts Environmental Police
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- New Jersey Division of Fish and Game
- New York Environmental Conservation Police
- North Carolina Marine Patrol
- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
- Rhode Island Environmental Police
- South Carolina Division of Natural Resources
- Virginia Marine Police
Federal Agencies
- NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
- United States Coast Guard
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement