NOAA names James Binniker as new Director of Law Enforcement

NOAA Fisheries has named James Binniker as new Director of the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, a key position which oversees the agency’s enforcement of laws safeguarding US marine resources, habitats, and protected areas.

Taking up his position on September 23, Binniker will lead a team responsible for enforcing over 40 federal statutes across 3 million nautical miles of open ocean, 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline, and in 16 National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monument. His new role will also taking forward strategies to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while promoting sustainable fisheries management, NOAA said.

In addition to domestic law enforcement, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement plays a critical role in enforcing U.S. treaty obligations and international law, working closely with 27 coastal states and territories through joint enforcement agreements and partnering with agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard.

Binniker brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as Assistant Director of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement since 2022. His prior experience also includes a 26-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard, where he held leadership positions in law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental response, and maritime security operations.

His final role with the Coast Guard was as Chief of the Fisheries Enforcement Division in the Office of Maritime Law Enforcement Policy, overseeing operations aimed at protecting marine resources and combating IUU fishing.

Binniker holds a Master’s degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Christopher Newport University. He also completed Criminal Investigator Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

“The breadth of ocean and coast NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement must cover and the number of laws they must enforce are immense; so it’s crucial that leadership continue to set priorities and pursue those enthusiastically as we strive to fulfill our sustainability and stewardship missions,” said Janet Coit, NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, in a NOAA press release.

“With James’ extensive enforcement background and incredible level of experience with marine issues nationally and internationally, he will hit the ground running—especially in our ongoing fight against illegal unregulated and unreported fishing globally," she added.

“James’ depth of experience in law enforcement, marine resource protection, and maritime security operations is a tremendous asset to the agency. He has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement planning, operations, and administration. We are thrilled to have him step into this role,” added Emily Menashes, NOAA Fisheries’ Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations. 

“I am so pleased to be taking on this role,” said Binniker. "My priority will be to lead the dedicated staff  of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement to promote compliance with federal laws that support sustainable fisheries and protect marine mammals, endangered species, and National Marine Sanctuaries and continue to develop enforcement partnerships here and abroad so we can level the playing field for honest fishermen.”