Link to the Florida Wildlife Commission members.
https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commissioners/
One must note that there is an infrastructure of employees as well.
In Florida, there is an executive director and central office support staff. There is an organization with many layers to "manage" all the employees, divisions, and geography.
Thomas Eason, PhD is the Acting Executive Director in Florida.
https://myfwc.com/contact/fwc-office/senior-staff/
As several have noted, the commissioners / advisory boards are actually shills for big business, particularly those that harm the environment. And most are self serving in terms of their day jobs and financial colleagues.
Most states have similar organization structures. Paid state employee staff - your tax dollars. Plus, an "advisory" committee of "Commissioners" (FL) or "Advisory Board" (AL).
Some states like Alabama have very direct little tax support and rely on revenue from fishing license, hunting license, fines, and grants. As hunting has been declining and fishing of less interest to younger generations, many of the states' game and fish departments do not have enough revenue "to do what they want to do" ... much less "what they need to do". A response therefore is to simply outlaw activities or make permitting very costly. And, every state game and fish department relies heavily on a university - usually a single favored university - to provide opinions and often draft regulations. Now these universities also do a lot positive in terms of research - but as the group knows all too well - university biologists generally do not seek or accept friendship of reptile keepers.
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