ABOUT LDWF

BOARDS / COMMISSION MEMBERS

Boards:

The Hunting and Fishing Advisory Education Council

The Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council

The Louisiana Seafood Board

Louisiana Oyster Task Force

Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation

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:

Mr. Robert J. Samanie, III

Chairman
Houma, LA
Commercial Fishing & Fur Representative
12/10/2009

Bobby Samanie, III is a lifelong resident of Terrebonne
Parish. He resides in Houma where he is involved in the
shrimp processing industry. Mr. Samanie is a past-President of
the American Shrimp Processors Association, past-President
of the Dulac Bassmasters Club, and a member of the Knights
of Columbus.

Regarding his motivation for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. Samanie explained that he wants to represent people involved in the seafood industry, as well as recreational anglers and hunters. He feels that both sectors need regulations and enforcement based on biology, and that the two sectors need to understand that resources are shared between them. Mr. Samanie believes that he can help all users of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources work together toward common goals.

When asked about his personal beliefs regarding the importance and management of these resources, Mr. Samanie said: "These resources are important for employment and the culture and identities of local communities, whether the users of the resource are commercial or recreational. Management must be be done in a way that guarantees future stocks, but in a logical and thoughtful manner. All elements of the commercial industry should be polled, and their opinions taken into account, but the final decisions must be based on science. Likewise, recreational interests must understand their responsibility to steward the resources, and seek state assistance with that goal in a fair way that respects the rights of all."

Mr. Samanie can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 336 Dulac, LA 70353
Phone: (985) 563-2348
E-mail: Captbob6888@aol.com

Patrick C. Morrow

Opelousas, LA
At-Large Appointee
12/10/2011

Patrick C. Morrow, a lifelong resident of Louisiana, was born in
Plaquemine and grew up in Arnaudville. He currently resides
in Opelousas (St. Landry Parish), where he is a practicing
attorney at law.

Mr. Morrow is a member of numerous legal organizations,
including:

• St. Landry Parish Bar Association
• Louisiana State and American Bar Associations
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
• Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association/Board of Governors/Counsel of Directors (1987 - present)
• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• The Louisiana City Attorneys Association
• Louisiana and American Bar Foundations
• John M. Duhe, Jr., American Inn of Court.

He is a sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and the Cajun Becasse Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society.

When asked about his motivation for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. Morrow replied: "I have been an avid hunter and fisherman all of my life and want to ensure that our wildlife and aquatic life - our renewable resources - will be available to all future generations."

Mr. Morrow explained that he thought it was imperative that Louisiana's bountiful resources be protected using state-of-the-art equipment and management technology. He continued... "Both the sporting industry and the commercial fishing and fur industries have a tremendous economic impact on Louisiana. We must all strive to foster and protect our renewable resources for the future economic growth of Louisiana."

Mr. Morrow may be contacted at:
P.O. Drawer 1787
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 948-4483
E-mail: pmorrow@mmrblaw.com

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: sws@us.com

Mr. Earl P. King, Jr.

Amelia, LA
Commercial Fishing & Fur Representative
Concurrent w/ Governor

Earl King, Jr. was born on Ashland Plantation in Terrebonne
Parish, and currently resides in St. Mary Parish, where he is in
the oilfield transportation business (King Trucking, Inc.). Mr.
King serves on the Board of the Louisiana Shrimp and
Petroleum Festival, and is a member of the Louisiana Motor
Transport Association, the St. Mary Industrial Group, the
Atchafalaya River Coalition, and the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

When asked about his reasons for serving on the LWF Commission, Mr. King replied: "My respect for our wildlife and fisheries resources began at an early age, as I spent time with my grandfather, William H. "Bill" King of Ashland Plantation. He was responsible for the allocation of swamp resources for The South Coast Corporation, including timber, fur, and hunting rights. Grandfather stressed managing and nurturing our natural resources, and was an early conservationist. Growing up in south Louisiana, I enjoyed hunting and fishing on our many lakes and bayous. Not only did this provide food for our table, but also recreation that I want future generations to be able to enjoy."

Mr. King believes that, as an LWF Commissioner, he has a duty, an obligation, and a moral and ethical responsibility to make informed decisions based on the best interests of the people and the state of Louisiana. He explained that his broad agenda is to balance the commercial, sports, and recreational interests with conservation of Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries resources, noting that he has an appreciation for the economic "engines" these interests provide for the coastal parishes and across the state.

Mr. King can be contacted at:
1090 Susan Court
Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: (985) 518-9426
FAX: (985) 631-3330
E-mail: earlking@petronet.net

Mr. Steve Oats

Vice-Chairman
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

Mrs. Ann L. Taylor

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

Ronny Graham

P. O. Box 400
Ruston, LA 71273
Phone: 318/232-7021
FAX: 318/232-7051
E-Mail: ronnygraham@lincolnbuilders.com

Commission Meeting Minutes

 October 2009
 September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007

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