Daniel Schaeffer

PROFILE

Daniel Schaeffer leads Pew’s work on maritime security and military engagement by addressing illegal fishing where it intersects with other maritime crimes. He also focuses on identifying better ways to address maritime security through enforcement of fisheries and ensuring effective maritime governance and the rule of law.

Before joining Pew, Schaeffer served in the U.S. Coast Guard for over 27 years and last served as the head of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Fisheries and Marine Protected Enforcement. In that role—and using the full range of fisheries enforcement experiences, including operational planning and oversight, policy development, intergovernmental cooperation, drafting of regulations, and boarding vessels—he helped guide the Coast Guard’s efforts to protect living marine resources. During his three decades of international fisheries enforcement, Schaeffer also participated in treaty negotiations, bilateral enforcement agreements, operational discussions, and planning.

Schaeffer holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a master’s in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Environment and Life Sciences, and a professional diploma from the U.S. Naval War College.