Logan Gregory, an 18-year veteran of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, has been named Special Agent in Charge of the agency's Northeast Division, according to Enforcement Director Bruce Buckson. Gregory will start his new position in Gloucester, Massachusetts on Oct. 9.
"Logan's experience and forward thinking will provide the necessary foundation to move the Northeast Division into the future," Buckson said. "He will focus on aiding compliance assistance, ensuring there are clear, effective and consistent enforcement practices, and he will move forward the recent process reforms to increase transparency and build trust."
"I am recognized to be selected as the Special Agent in Charge," Gregory said. "I look forward to leading the Northeast enforcement plan and working closely with industry leaders, the councils, and our enforcement partners to make sure we meet the needs of the commercial and recreational fishermen and the region's coastal communities. Keeping our fish resources healthy and sustainable for future generations of fishermen will require everyone's support and cooperation."
Gregory projects on improving the relationship with fishermen and local leaders and to work closely with the fishery management councils to set clear compliance and enforcement priorities that will be shared with the industry as they are developed.
"As we turn the corner on ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, N.O.A.A. Enforcement and the fishing community share a common goal in ensuring sustainable marine fisheries today and for future generations," said Eric Schwaab, N.O.A.A. assistant administrator for Fisheries. "Fair and effective enforcement safeguards U.S. fishing jobs by assuring adequate fish stocks for today and the future, and all fishermen benefit from effective enforcement and a level playing field."
As a 1st step, Gregory will meet with the Northeast Enforcement Division's management team, industry leaders, and stakeholders to understand the most pressing issues and needs, as well as discuss priorities within the Northeast Region. He will also attend the next round of Council meetings to introduce himself and to have one-on-one meetings with committees, fishing groups, NGOs, and other interested parties.
A native of Saint Petersburg, Fla., Gregory joined NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement as an intern while pursuing his criminology degree at the University of South Florida. After his graduation in 1992, Gregory completed additional training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and was commissioned in 1993 as an enforcement officer with the agency, working out of the agency's Southeast Division in Saint Petersburg.
Gregory was promoted to special agent in 1995, working 1st in the Florida Keys and later in Newport News, Va. In 2008, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge and began supervising all enforcement operations in the Northeast Division's District 4, which runs from Delaware to the Virginia/North Carolina border.
For the past year, Gregory has served in acting management roles at Office of Law Enforcement's headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., including overseeing the agency's Vessel Monitoring System program.
In addition to fisheries, the Office of Law Enforcement also handles issues related to marine mammals, endangered species, sanctuaries and other related enforcement missions for the protection of the nation's marine resources.
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