Governor John Bel Edwards has appointed John Roussel to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

Gov. John Bel Edwards has appointed John “Zero” Roussel of Gonzales, LA to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC).

The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) consists of the five Gulf of Mexico coastal states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) and was established by a federal compact signed by representatives of the Governors of the five Gulf States in 1949. Its principal objective is the conservation, development, and full utilization of the state fishery resources of the Gulf of Mexico, to provide food, employment, income, and recreation to the people of the United States.  

“As a former Assistant Secretary and Fisheries Biologist of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mr. Roussel will be a valuable asset for Louisiana on the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission”, said LDWF Secretary Charlie Melancon.  “John was one of the most respected state fishery directors in the country, and his integrity is above reproach.”

Roussel began his distinguished career at the LDWF Lyle St. Amant Marine Laboratory on Grand Terre Island near Grand Isle.  He advanced up through the agency to head the Marine Fisheries Division for many years before being appointed the Assistant Secretary of Fisheries under the administration of Governor Mike Foster.  As Assistant Secretary of Fisheries at LDWF, John Roussel was instrumental in establishing a federal program that provided recovery assistance for the Gulf coast fisheries in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These funds ensured the recovery of a devastated fishing industry following the hurricanes and that recovery model was utilized again after the BP oil spill.

The GSMFC is comprised of fifteen commissioners, three from each of the five Gulf States, who work to set policy, approve GSMFC's budget and provide direction for GSMFC activities. Of these voting members, one-third are appointed by the state legislatures, one-third are private citizens with a knowledge of and interest in marine fisheries who are appointed by the states' governors, and the remaining third are state fishery resource agency directors. 

Mr. Roussel has been appointed to represent the ‘private citizen’ seat for Louisiana. Senator Brett Allain (R-New Iberia) will serve as the Legislative appointment and LDWF Secretary Charlie Melancon will represent the state.

Mr. Roussel’s appointment is effective immediately.