ABOUT LDWF

ADMINISTRATION

Office of Secretary Robert Barham Secretary

The Office of Secretary is administered by the Department's chief administrator officer, who oversees all scientific operations as organized by the Office of Wildlife and the Office of Fisheries. The Secretary also has ultimate authority over the operation of the Department's fiscal and business matters as administered by the Office of Management and Finance. Support operations of the department report directly to the Secretary. These include the Enforcement Division and the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, as well as the Department's Legal Section.

Enforcement Division
Col. Winton Vidrine, Chief
The Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing laws enacted by the Louisiana Legislature relative to fish and wildlife resources and boating safety regulations, as well as federal regulations pertaining to migratory birds and endangered species.

Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board
Ewell Smith, Executive Director
The responsibility of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board is to strengthen and expand Louisiana's commercial fishery-related industries and cultivate new markets for the state's seafood products.

Office of Management and Finance Janice A. Lansing Undersecretary

The Office of Management and Finance oversees the management and financial operations of the Department. The Office is administered by the Undersecretary who directs and is responsible for accounting and budget control, contracts, grants management, program analysis, personnel management, information processing systems, procurement, licensing, socioeconomic research, general administrative and public information services including the Louisiana Conservationist magazine, publications and news, audio-visual services and the LDWF Information and Resource Library.

The Office of Wildlife consists of two divisions, the Wildlife Division and the Fur and Refuge Division.

Fur and Refuge Division
Phil Bowman, Administrator
Active marsh management is the primary responsibility of the Fur and Refuge Division. The division owns and is responsible for 12.5 percent of coastal Louisiana, which serves as test sites for marsh management strategies designed to stabilize isohaline lines, limit saline encroachment, reverse marsh deterioration, and provide productive wildlife habitat. In addition, management expertise and guidance is provided to private owners of considerably more marshland. Professional expertise is provided for the implementation of international, federal, and state legislation and regulations governing wise use of alligators, furbearers, coastal marshlands, and other important wildlife and fisheries resources.

Fur and Alligator Advisory Council
Edmond Mouton, Director
The Fur and Alligator Advisory Council supports programs ensuring a stable future for the state's fur and alligator industries. The major goals of the Council are education of the public concerning the role of trapping in wildlife conservation and market stabilization and enhancement for Louisiana's fur and alligator products.

The Office of Fisheries is comprised of two divisions, Marine Fisheries and Inland Fisheries.

Marine Fisheries Division
Karen Foote, Administrator
The Marine Fisheries Division is charged with management of the full range of Louisiana's marine resources.

Inland Fisheries Division
Gary Tilyou, Administrator
The Inland Fisheries Division manages fish populations and habitats for the conservation and improvement of recreational and commercial fishing primarily in freshwater areas of the state.