ALCOAST 032/26 - JAN 2026 SOLICITATION FOR THE 2025 CAPTAIN QUENTIN R. WALSH EXCELLENCE IN LIVING MARINE RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT AWARD NOMINATIONS

R 301924Z JAN 26 MID320018507853U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 032/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR THE 2025 CAPTAIN QUENTIN R. WALSH EXCELLENCE
IN LIVING MARINE RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT AWARD NOMINATIONS
1. Purpose: This ALCOAST message solicits nominations of individuals
who have distinguished themselves during calendar year 2025 through
outstanding execution and support of the Living Marine Resources
(LMR) and counter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
(c-IUUF) missions.
2. Background:
    a. This annual award recognizes the exceptional performance and
significant contributions of members who have advanced the Coast
Guard's execution of the LMR and c-IUUF missions. Contributions for
consideration may include but is not limited to fisheries law
enforcement, intelligence support, mission management, operational
planning, and training.
    b. The award is named in honor of Captain Quentin R. Walsh, a
distinguished Coast Guard officer and recipient of the Navy Cross.
As a Lieutenant (junior grade) in the late 1930s, Walsh was selected
for special assignment as one of the nation's first two whaling
inspectors. Walsh's three-volume report from his year aboard the
whaling ship ULYSSES influenced U.S. policy on whaling and led to
regulatory changes to ban whaling in the United States, helping to
save several populations of whales from extinction.
3. Eligibility: This award has two classes: operational and
staff/training. For the operational award, nominees are eligible if
they are a certified LMR BO for at least six months of the award
period. For the staff/training award, any nominee who contributes to
the LMR or c-IUUF missions in a staff/training capacity is eligible.
The awards recognize individual performance and contributions
between 01 JAN 2025 and 31 DEC 2025.
4. The members selected as Captain Quentin R. Walsh Excellence
in Living Marine Resources Enforcement Award winners will each
receive a flag letter from COMDT (CG-DCO) and COMDT (CG-3/5R).
Presentation of the awards will be coordinated by the members'
command and COMDT (CG-MLE-4) staff.
5. Nomination package requirements: Nominations may be submitted by
any command having first-hand knowledge of the nominee's
achievements. Submissions must be forwarded as a Coast Guard
memorandum. The narrative shall be limited to a maximum of two
pages, using Times New Roman 12-point font. Well-crafted narratives
should include the following information:
    a. Assigned duties and positions during the qualifying period.
    b. Specific examples of the nominee's outstanding achievement.
    c. The Fisheries Enforcement Division (CG-MLE-4) encourages
commands to document the nominee's contributions to establishing or
enhancing joint/interagency partnerships, innovations leading to
enhanced operational outcomes, more efficient mission execution,
outreach and education to the recreational and commercial fishing
community, international engagement, intelligence support and
analysis, or other significant actions worthy of recognition. These
factors may distinguish nominees but are not required for a
nomination package to be considered.
6. Refer to the COMDT (CG-MLE-4) SharePoint page for more
information on the award and memo template:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cgmle/cgmle4/SitePages/Captain-
Quentin-R.-Walsh-Excellence-in-Living-Marine-Resources-
Enforcement-Award.aspx?ga=1

7. Submission Process: Unit nominations must be submitted to the
applicable District Enforcement staff no later than 27 FEB 2026.
Districts will evaluate the nominations and will submit one endorsed
recommendation for each category to the cognizant Area no later than
27 MAR 2026. For nominees from Area/FORCECOM/MLEA units, submit
nominations to the applicable Geographic Area Commander no later
than 27 MAR 2026.
8. LANT and PAC LMR staffs will forward one primary (and a
secondary, if desired) nomination for each category through the
applicable Operations Branch Chief (LANT-35/PAC-37), to COMDT
(CG-MLE-4) no later than 24 APR 2026, which will convene a board to
select the best candidates. Final approval will rest with the
Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration and Response Policy
(CG-3/5R). Area staffs can also submit all other nominations to
COMDT (CG-MLE-4) so that well deserving nominees can be recognized
as honorable mentions in the final award ALCOAST.
9. The winners will be announced via ALCOAST NLT 22 MAY 2026,
highlighting the winners' contributions to the LMR/c-IUUF missions
in 2025.
10. COMDT (CG-MLE-4) POC: LT Christian Fonseca at (202) 372-2168 or
Christian.S.Fonseca@uscg.mil.
11. RADM M. M. Dean, Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration
and Response Policy (CG-3/5R), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.