The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council presented the 2018 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award to Lieutenant Jason Marlow with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Council's Officer of the Year award acknowledges service above and beyond duty requirements and recognizes distinguished service, professionalism, and dedication to enforcing federal fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico. Nominees may be submitted from each of the five Gulf State Law Enforcement agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NOAA Fisheries' Office for Law Enforcement.

Lieutenant Marlow has spent most of his twenty-year career dedicated to working in the Gulf of Mexico. He is highly regarded for his mentorship and his passion for marine resource conservation. He continuously inspires others with his attitude, subject matter expertise, and work ethic. Lieutenant Marlow is an exemplary squad leader who has prioritized federal fisheries enforcement with great success.

In 2018, Lt. Marlow's squad made significant contributions to fisheries enforcement, including a combined 1039 hours of offshore (beyond 9 miles/federal waters) federal fisheries patrols. His squad exceeded their contracted federal enforcement patrol time by 300 hours. Over 602 hours were dedicated to red snapper enforcement, over 89 hours for shrimp net Turtle Excluder Device enforcement, and over 347 hours for all other federal patrols.

"The FWC is proud to nominate such an exceptional officer whose demeanor and professionalism speak loudly regarding his quality of service and dedication to his profession," says Captain Scott Pierce of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, "He is well respected among leadership and continues to impact the marine fisheries community through his and his squads dedicated efforts to the enforcement and conservation of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico."

Captain Scott Pierce, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Lieutenant Jason Marlow, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Martha Guyas,Section Leader for Federal Fisheries of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Marine Fisheries Management and

Gulf Council Member; Gulf Council Chairman, Dr. Tom Frazer

About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.