WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) July 25, 2011 – Today, NOAA Fisheries confirmed the appointment of Bruce Buckson as director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement. He begins on September 4, 2011.
The Gloucester Daily Times first reported Mr. Buckson's name last week, and several sources confirmed the anticipated appointment to Saving Seafood.
According to an e-mail sent to "fisheries stakeholders" earlier today, Mr. Buckson "comes to NOAA from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where he has served as the Deputy Director of the Law Enforcement Division since 2007. Florida Fish and Wildlife's Law Enforcement Division is one of the largest fish and wildlife law enforcement agencies in the world with over 700 employees in a state with the nation's second longest coastline." Although NOAA initially listed a four-year degree as a requirement for the position, a second posting did not list that requirement, and the ensuing controversy was blamed on an error by the Office of Personnel Management.
While Mr. Buckson does not have a four year degree, he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy with nearly 30 years enforcement experience. Several industry members in Florida and elsewhere have contacted Saving Seafood privately to express their admiration for Mr. Buckson's work in Florida.
Alan Risenhoover has served as acting director of enforcement since Dale Jones was reassigned after a critical report was issued by the Commerce Department Inspector General. Following a transition of responsibilities, Mr. Risenhoover will return to his permanent assignment as Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries.
Following is an email that NOAA Fisheries cheif Eric Schwaab sent to all NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service employees this morning announcing Bruce Buckson as the new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement.
"I am pleased to announce the selection of Bruce Buckson, a
nationally-recognized leader in natural resource conservation law
enforcement, as our new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE),
effective September 4. Bruce brings 29 years of marine fisheries
experience to his new role and joins us from the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), where he served as Deputy
Director of the Division of Law Enforcement since 2007. The FWC includes
one of the largest fish and wildlife law enforcement agencies in the
world with over 700 employees in a state with the nation's second
longest coastline.
Bruce began his law enforcement career patrolling the waters of the
upper Florida Keys and advanced to increasing levels of responsibility
within the FWC. Over his career, he built and developed a highly
regarded natural resource conservation enforcement team; engaged
fishermen, conservationists, coastal residents and other stakeholders,
and worked across state, local and federal agencies and commissions to
ensure regulations were clear and enforceable. Among his most notable
achievements:
· Early in his career, Bruce directed marine law enforcement operations
for a region comprising six counties with over 200 miles of coastline.
In this capacity, he managed enforcement personnel; coordinated with
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies; interacted with
States Attorneys and County Judges; and built relationships with
stakeholders.
· As the leader of the statewide FWC Resource Protection Unit from
1994-1999, he directed the efforts of plain clothes officers targeting
violations across Florida's large and diverse natural resource
environment. He coordinated and disseminated marine resource rule and
law information, and, in this timeframe, also served as the law
enforcement liaison to the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission,
recommending rule clarifications and interacting with industry
representatives to enhance compliance.
· In 2003, Bruce led the development of the first Mutual Aid Agreement
between the FWC Division of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. This agreement enhanced the protection of manatees by
delegating state enforcement authority to federal agents for manatee
regulations and providing extensive cross training for federal and state
partners on manatee protection.
· He supported the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Law
Enforcement Committee, serving as a member of the team that developed a
strategic plan that enhanced coordination on law enforcement matters
between the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council.
· For over 16 years, he served as the primary FWC representative to
entities such as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(ASMFC), the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council, and as a liaison to other state and federal agencies, such as
NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bruce has been recognized throughout his career with numerous citations
and awards. In 2004, he received the ASMFC Annual Award in Excellence in
Law Enforcement for his career contributions to fisheries conservation
and his advocacy for consistency in fisheries enforcement approaches and
information sharing across state and federal agencies. As Chair of the
Commission's Law Enforcement Committee, he secured dedicated staff
support for the Committee, enabling it to more fully and efficiently
address regulatory compliance issues along the Atlantic coast. Other
awards include the Division of Law Enforcement Award of Merit and Medal
of Valor, Statewide Agency Officer of the Year and State Law Enforcement
Chiefs Officer of the Year, NOAA OLE Outstanding Leadership Achievement
Award, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Guy Bradley
leadership and lifetime achievement award. Bruce is also a graduate of
the FBI National Academy.
We selected Bruce for this significant role because of his extensive
natural resource conservation leadership experience, firsthand knowledge
of marine law enforcement operations and demonstrated ability to work
across diverse stakeholder groups to ensure clear, effective, and
enforceable policies. As the Director of the Office of Law Enforcement,
he will advance NOAA's enforcement goals and continue the reforms that
are already underway. For example, we are adding 23 new enforcement
officers nationwide to expand our presence on the docks and improve
communication with fishermen, shifting our focus from citations to
compliance, and announcing a search for a new Special Agent in Charge
for the Northeast Region.
While welcoming Bruce, I would also like to thank and recognize Alan
Risenhoover for his leadership as interim OLE Director. Alan has been
instrumental in working with our OLE team, the fishing industry,
government leaders and other stakeholders to develop and institute new
polices, address issues, and improve compliance. Under his watch, we
have initiated many of the changes that are already enhancing the
fairness and effectiveness of our law enforcement efforts. Following a
transition of responsibilities to Bruce, Alan will return to his
permanent assignment as Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries.
NOAA and fishermen share the goal of building and sustaining healthy
fish populations, and new leadership, partnerships and enforcement
policies – coupled with sound science and effective management – put us
firmly on the path to achieving this goal.
Please join me in welcoming Bruce to NOAA Fisheries and thanking Alan
for his service.
Eric C. Schwaab