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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enforce numerous administrative regulations and statutory laws including the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Other federal agencies may be involved and even international treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

If you have been interviewed, subject to a search, or under investigation, then an initial free consultation is available to discuss your circumstances. If you have been served a Notice of Violation and Assessment (NOVA), a Notice of Permit Sanction (NOPS), or a civil or criminal Complaint you must act quickly to protect your rights.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

If you have been interviewed, subject to a search, or under investigation, then an initial free consultation is available to discuss your circumstances. If you have been served a Notice of Seizure and Proposed Forfeiture (NOSPF) you must be cautious because your available remedies are mutually exclusive. The NOSPF generally lists four options: (1) ABANDON, (2) TAKE NO ACTION, (3) PETITION FOR REMISSION, or (4) FILE A SEIZED ASSET FORM. Understanding the consequences of your selection is critical. The Four alternatives are not sequential remedies. #1 and #2 are obvious. #3 the Petition for Remission is mostly unsuccessful and decided by USFWS that did the seizure and is a dead end without judicial review. Only #4 gets your case out of the hands of the USFWS and heard by a judge with full due process and discovery protections. NOTE that none of the four options provide relief from potential liability from civil penalties and may include storage costs. If you have been served a civil or criminal complaint, you must act quickly to protect your rights.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Whether your fauna or flora was transported by air, land or sea, the Law Office of Patrick Flanigan provides a full range of legal services for individuals, corporations and even tourists, who have allegedly violated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).