Aquaculture Coordinating Council

The Aquaculture Coordinating Council is charged with working with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and Wildlife and Fisheries to do the following:

   • Develop and advise on the implementation of a regulatory framework for the orderly development and maintenance of a modern, sustainable aquacultural segment of Louisiana's agriculture industry and to promote aquaculture and aquaculture products

   • Determine and recommend to the commissioner and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, based on a scientific risk assessment, which species of aquatic livestock are suitable for aquacultural production in Louisiana

   • Recommend to the commissioner criteria for requiring licenses and permits and for granting or denying licenses and permits issued pursuant to this Part

   • Hold hearings on alleged violations of the provisions of this Part or of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Part

   • Advise the commissioner on the civil penalties to be imposed or the injunctive or other civil relief to be sought for violations of the provisions of this Part or of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Part

   • Perform such other advisory functions as the commissioner may assign to the council

Members of the Aquaculture Coordinating Council

   • Dr. Robert Romaire (fishery biologist from LSU Ag Center) Dr. Robert Reigh (alternate)

   • Mr. Mark McElroy (fishery biologist from Wildlife & Fisheries)

   • Not filled (Aquatic Biologist nominated by University of LA System)

   • Mr. Rusty Freeland (Aquatic producer from LA Farm Bureau)

   • Mr. J.B. Hanks (aquatic producer from LA Catfish Promotion & Research Board) Rusty Gaudé (alternate)

   • Vacant (active aquatic producer appointed from LA Catfish Farmers Assn.) Rusty Gaudé (alternate)

   • Mr. Steve Abernathy (active aquatic producer appointed by Wildlife & Fisheries)

   • Vacant (VoAg teacher nominated from LA Vocational Agriscience Teachers’ Assn)

   • Dr. Rouse Caffey (consumer appointed from public at large)

   • Mr. Kelsey Short (appointed from Dept. of Economic Development Stan Fulcher (alternate)

   • Mr. Paul Picard (active game fish grower from LA Game Fish Grower’s Assn.)

   • Mr. Will Courtney (member of LA Bass Anglers & Sportsmen Society) Wayne Allmand (alternate)

   • Mr. Nelson Roth, Jr. (member of Coastal Conservation Assn of LA)

   • Mr. Greg Durand (Aquatic producer from LA Crawfish Producers Association)

   • Vacant (member nominated from Southern AgCenter)

   • Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM (Ex officio)

   • Dr. Henry Moreau (Secretary)

   • Secretary Robert J. Barham (Wildlife & Fisheries, Ex Officio)