Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee

Knowledgeable and invested members of our community.

About the Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee

The Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee is comprised of knowledgeable and invested members of our community. They have agreed to lend their expertise in examining the G.U.L.F. RFM Certification to ensure that it is an accurate translation of the FAO documents, that the Standard is appropriately rigorous, and that the process for publishing and using the Standard is beyond reproach. We thank them for their service.

All members have agreed to the Terms of Reference.

Meetings

May 5, 2020: conference call

August 24, 2018: conference call

April 13, 2018: conference call

December 8, 2017: conference call

September 18, 2017: New Orleans, LA

May 22, 2017: New Orleans, LA

July 14, 2016: New Orleans, LA

March 30, 2016: New Orleans, LA

December 12, 2015: New Orleans, LA

July 14, 2015: New Orleans, LA

April 23, 2015: New Orleans, LA

October 23, 2014: Conference call

September 5, 2014: New Orleans, LA


John Fallon, Audubon Nature Institute – Chair

John was a founding member of the Aquarium Conservation Committee, the group that spearheaded the development of the Sustainable Seafood Project for Audubon Nature Institute. In August 2012, John became the Coordinator of Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries and in 2014 became the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement. John oversees G.U.L.F.’s overall outreach, messaging, communications, and events and he spearheads the Restaurant Partnership Program.

Laura Picariello, Texas Sea Grant

Laura Picariello is the Fisheries Specialist for Texas Sea Grant. Laura is the former Director for Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries and managed the development and operation of the G.U.L.F. RFM certification program from August 2015-May 2018 as well as coordinated several Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) across the gulf region. Laura’s experience in fisheries and marine science extends across multiple coastlines. She conducted coral and shark research in the Caribbean, and assisted in fisheries research for Long Island’s Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program and for NOAA’s Northeast Cooperative Research Program. She has a master’s degree in marine conservation and policy.

Dr. Julie Anderson Lively, Louisiana Sea Grant

Dr. Julie Lively is the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program’s Fisheries Specialist and an associate professor with Louisiana State University AgCenter.  Her work primarily focuses on the commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, including applied research on blue crab and shrimp.  Previously she worked with the horseshoe crab, whelk, and eel fisheries in the Mid Atlantic.  She currently serves as the chair for both the National Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Network and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Sea Grant Extension Advisory Group.  She received her BS in biology from Truman State University and Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of Delaware.

Dr. Robert Leaf, U. Southern Mississippi

Dr. Robert Leaf is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi. His research interests include population dynamics and life-history processes of harvested and conserved stocks. His and his student’s research is focused on effective management of the fin and shellfish stocks in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Leaf has been at the University of Southern Mississippi for three years.

Trudy Luke, Luke’s Seafood


Peyton Cagle, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Peyton Cagle is the Crustacean Biologist with the Marine Fisheries Section of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and has been a Marine Fisheries Biologist with the Department for twelve years.  He grew up in Junction City, Arkansas, and graduated as salutatorian of his senior high class.  He attended Louisiana College, where he played football and earned his BS in Biology.  Professionally, in addition to his crustacean management duties, he serves on several state and regional task forces and committees.

Peyton resides in Lake Charles, Louisiana with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.

Steve VanderKooy,  Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

Steve VanderKooy is the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program Coordinator with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.  His primary focus is development of regional management approaches for commercial and recreational fisheries that overlap state and federal boundaries in the Gulf of Mexico.  He also coordinates other regional activities including the standardization of biological sampling protocols, the development of socioeconomic descriptions of the fishing community, and the assessment of fish stocks.

Dr. David Veal, American Shrimp Processors Association

David Veal received a BS and MS degree in engineering from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. degree in engineering from Clemson University.  During his 35-year tenure with Mississippi State University, he served as a professor of Agricultural Engineering and Director of the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, MS.  After retiring from MSU, he assumed the role as Director of the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) in 2007.  Dr. Veal is the author of numerous publications, many of which focus on the Gulf seafood industry and the shrimp industry, in particular.

Peter Vujnovich, Captain Pete’s Oysters

Peter Vujnovich is the owner and operator of Captain Pete’s Oysters, based in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Pete is a third-generation oyster farmer, and serves on the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, in addition to being on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association. Pete is also vice-chairman of the Plaquimines Parish Coastal Zone Management Authority and a director for Handicap Encounter Christ.


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