Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission

Commission Members

While Louisiana's first wildlife conservation law was passed way back in 1857, and many regulations regarding oysters were passed in the late 1800's, it was not until 1909 that a formal body was appointed and given the task of overseeing wildlife and fisheries conservation in the State. Governor John Parker, an avid conservationist and friend and hunting partner of President Theodore Roosevelt, convinced the Louisiana Legislature in 1909 to create the Louisiana Board of Commissioners for the Protection of Birds, Game and Fish. One year later, in 1910, the Louisiana Oyster Commission (which had been created in 1902) merged with the Board of Commissioners to create the Louisiana Department of Conservation.

Act 127 of 1912 constitutionally created the Conservation Commission of Louisiana as a department of State government, with the mission of providing for the protection of birds, fish, shellfish, wild quadrupeds, forestry and mineral resources of the state.

Act 105 of 1918 changed the name of the agency back to the Department of Conservation, and directed that it be controlled by an officer known as the Commissioner of Conservation, who would be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, for a term of four years.

The Department of Conservation continued in the role of lead agency in charge of wildlife and fisheries conservation until the Louisiana Department of Wild Life and Fisheries was officially created on December 11, 1944, in accordance with the terms of a Constitutional Amendment approved by the people of Louisiana on November 7, 1944.

The Amendment to the State's Constitution separated the former Department of Conservation into three independent state agencies: the Department of Wild Life and Fisheries, the Louisiana Forestry Commission, and a new Department of Conservation.

Initially, the new Department of Wild Life and Fisheries was directed by a Commissioner, who was appointed by the Governor. Governor Jimmie H. Davis appointed John G. Appel as the first Commissioner of the Department.
In 1952, another Constitutional Amendment changed the name of the Department of Wild Life and Fisheries to the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission, and also established a commission of seven members to oversee and direct the activities of the agency. For day-to-day management and administration, the commission was directed to appoint (hire) a Director of the Commission.

This confusing terminology, with a commission (board) managing the Commission (agency), continued until 1974, when the new Louisiana Constitution was completed and approved by voters. All of the old sections and amendments regarding normal functioning and administration of the agency were removed from the Constitution, retaining only the language regarding the composition and appointment of the seven-member Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC), as follows:

Section 7. (A) Members; Terms. The control and supervision of the wildlife of the state, including all aquatic life, is vested in the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The commission shall be in the executive branch and shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Six members shall serve overlapping terms of six years, and one member shall serve a term concurrent with that of the governor. Three members shall be electors of the coastal parishes and representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries, and four shall be electors from the state at large other than representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries, as provided by law. No member who has served six years or more shall be eligible for reappointment.

(B) Duties; Compensation. The functions, duties, and responsibilities of the commission, and the compensation of its members, shall be provided by law.

(Constitution of the State of Louisiana (1974), Article IX - Natural Resources, ?7. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission)

The Louisiana Legislature subsequently created the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) as part of Act #720 of 1975, the Executive Reorganization Act, which legislated the establishment of twenty (20) cabinet level state agencies. The name and administrative structure of LDWF were codified in R.S. 36: ?601- ?609, and ?610 details forty-three (43) commissions and preserves that were transferred into the new Department.

While Act #720 changed the role of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from administration to policy-making, the make-up of the Commission remains essentially the same today as when it was first conceived back in 1952: 6 members with 6-year terms plus 1 member whose term runs concurrently with the Governor. Three of the 7 members are to be representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries from the coastal parishes, and 4 members are "other than representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries" from the State at large.

CURRENT COMMISSIONERS

The seven current members of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, with their appointed role and term completion date, are:

Mrs. Ann L. Taylor
Chairman

Luling, LA
At-Large Appointee
12/10/14

Mrs. Taylor, a lifelong Louisiana resident, was born and raised in Houma and moved to Luling where she still lives. Taylor is co-owner and marketing director Louisiana Sportsman Magazine, the state's largest periodical covering the outdoors of the Bayou State. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Taylor has worked in the outdoor news publishing business for 24 years and is a former president of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association.

Taylor's affiliations with conservation organizations include memberships in CCA Louisiana, Ducks Unlimited and the International Women's Fishing Association.

When asked about her reason for serving on the LWF Commission, Taylor said, "I hope to use my affiliation with hunters and fishers in this state to be a good liason between them and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries."

"I will do my best to help manage Louisiana's renewable resources so that we continue to excell as a sportsman's paradise and seafood production leader. Our state has unparallelled fish and wildlife populations that we need to make the most of while ensuring they're there for future generations."

Mrs. Taylor can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 1199
Boutte, LA 70039
E-mail: annt@heraldguide.com
ph. 985-758-2795

Mr. Ronald "Ronny" Graham Vice Chairmen
At-Large Appointee
12/20/2016

Ronald Graham, a lifelong Louisiana resident, was born and raised in Ruston.  Graham is a general contractor and is currently the chairman of the board of Lincoln Builders, Inc.
Graham has served on the conservation programs committee for Ducks Unlimited and was chairman for the Lincoln Parish Ducks Unlimited chapter.
When asked about his motivation for serving on the commission, Mr. Graham stated, "In serving on the commission, I would like to see the public's hunting and fishing experience in Louisiana enhanced.  Also, the public - both citizens and guests - should be educated on the benefits of using our vast natural resources.
"Our job as wildlife and fisheries commissioners is of crucial importance for the oversight and reinforcement of the abundant natural resources our great state has been blessed with.  To protect our wealth and resources for fishing and hunting - both recreational and commercial - it is critical that we provide professional biologists and staff to monitor the effect of our ever changing environment, and educate the public on responsible stewardship of our environment for the benefit of all citizens and guests."

Mr. Graham can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 400
Ruston, LA  71273
Phone: 318-232-7021
Fax: 318-232-7051
E-mail: ronnygraham@lincolnbuilders.com

Mr. Stephen Sagrera
Abbeville, LA
Commercial Fishing & Fur Representative
12/31/2014

Mr. Sagrera was born in Lafayette and is a lifelong resident of Abbeville. He is the President of Gators Unlimited Inc. and Vice President of the Vermilion Gator Farm. He has served as president of the Louisiana Alligator Farmers and Rancher's Association and is a current member of Duck's Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Coastal Conservation Association, Louisiana Cattleman's Association, National Rifle Association, North American Hunting Club and Safari Club International.

Mr. Sagrera was a 1986 graduate from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness. His experiences include working as a trapper and fur buyer and running an alligator farm for 20 years.

"I have been blessed with the opportunity to provide for my family through the sustainable use of our alligator resource," said Sagrera. ?Hunting and fishing with my children is one of the greatest joys in my life. None of this would be possible if not for the conservation and management efforts of the department over the past many years.

"Serving on the commission gives me the opportunity to give back to the state and do my part in insuring that our great resources are abundantly available for many generations to come."

Mr. Sagrera can be contacted at:
17801 Theall Road
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: (337) 893-7709
Fax: (337) 893-7703
E-mail:swsagrera@hotmail.com

Mr. Steve Oats
 Lafayette, LA
At-Large Appointee
4/30/2013

Steve Oats was born in Lafayette and is a lifelong resident of Louisiana. He is the Managing Partner in the law firm of Oats & Hudson that has offices in Lafayette, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Steve is a Ducks Unlimited Lifetime Sponsor, National Rifle Association Lifetime Member, Coastal Conservation Association member and an instrument-rated pilot.

He belongs to the Louisiana State and American Bar Associations, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel and is a Lifetime Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation. He currently serves on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletic Foundation and is a member of Rotary International.

Reason for serving: "As a lifelong resident of Louisiana and a trained legal professional, I am interested in conserving and promoting Louisiana's wildlife resources. My education and background has prepared me to assist in supporting the wildlife and fish habitats of Louisiana for future generations."

Mr. Oats can be contacted at:
100 E. Vermillion St., Suite 400
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 233-1100
E-mail: wildlife@oatshudson.com

Mr. Michael C. Voisin
Houma, LA
Shrimp/Coastal Representative
12/10/2015

Michael C. Voisin was born in Los Angeles, Calif. and has lived in Louisiana for the past 38 years and resides in Houma.  He has owned Motivatit Seafoods, Inc., based in Houma since 1971.  Voisin's affiliations with conservation organizations include the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association, Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Southeastern Fisheries Association, Louisiana Seafood Processors Council and Gulf Oyster Industry Council and the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. 

When asked about his reason for serving on the LWF Commission, Voisin stated, "I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.  I hope that I can look back after my term and say that I and my fellow commissioners left the fish and wildlife resources of our great state sustainable for future generations.

"Management of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources are critical to the economic and cultural heritage that is Louisiana.  We are known around the world and country for our tremendous seafood and wildlife resources.  It is critical that they are managed in a sustainable manner for our enjoyment today and future generations to come."

Mr. Voisin can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 3916
Houma, LA 70361-3916
E-mail: mike.voisin@motivatit.com
Fax: 985-868-7472
Phone: 985-868-7191

Mr. Billy Broussard

Kaplan, LA

Concurrent with Governor’s term

Billy Broussard, a coastal parish resident, serves as a representative of the commercial fishing and fur industries, as required by statute. He owns and operates Pecan Island Redfish Charters.

Reason for serving: "I have lived my entire life in and around the marshes of Louisiana and there is no place on earth that I would rather be. The good Lord has blessed Louisiana and its citizens with one of the most diverse and dynamic ecosystems on the planet. From the pine covered hills of the northwest, to the hard woods skirting the western banks of the Mississippi River, the majestic cypress dotting the Atchafalaya Basin, to the salt air and oyster grass swaying in the waves on our southern border, we have it all. Louisianaians have been given the key to the pantry of sustainable, renewable natural resources in the lower forty eight states. I hope my appointment to the Commission will afford me the opportunity to give back, just a little, to the state and way of life that has given my family and I many wonderful opportunities and memories."  

Mr. Broussard can be contacted at:
27024 W. La. Highway 82
Kaplan, LA 70548
Phone: 337-652-4191
FAX: 337-737-2395
E-Mail: bbillypb@kaplantel.net