The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that Capt. Jason Russo has been named the state’s new Boating Law Administrator (BLA). Capt. Russo will serve as Louisiana’s primary liaison to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and will oversee the department’s efforts to promote safe and responsible recreational boating across the state.
Capt. Russo, a 24-year veteran of the LDWF Enforcement Division, brings a wealth of experience and national recognition to his new role. On Dec. 5, 2024, he became the first LDWF agent to earn NASBLA’s prestigious Certified Recreational Boating Professional certification—an advanced credential that recognizes professional knowledge, operational performance, and career achievement in recreational boating safety and enforcement.
In addition to his new duties as BLA, Capt. Russo continues to serve as LDWF’s Emergency Services Manager and Accredited Agency Program Manager for NASBLA’s Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) program. He is also a national instructor for NASBLA’s Level 1 and Level 2 Boating Incident Investigation and Analysis courses, and is LDWF’s designated Officer Water Survival Instructor.
In 2023, Capt. Russo was recognized nationally when he received NASBLA’s Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, honoring his outstanding contributions to boating safety and enforcement.
“Capt. Russo’s deep knowledge, instructional experience, and long-standing commitment to boating safety make him exceptionally well-suited to serve as Louisiana’s Boating Law Administrator,” said LDWF Col. Stephen Clark, head of the Enforcement Division. “We are proud of his accomplishments and confident he will continue to elevate our state’s boating safety initiatives.”
As BLA, Capt. Russo will coordinate with federal, state, and local partners to enhance boating education, accident investigation, enforcement, and training across Louisiana’s waterways.
