Dakus Geeslin, Deputy Director, Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

As Deputy Director of Coastal Fisheries Dakus oversees the monitoring and management of recreational and commercial fisheries along the Texas coast which includes the longest running marine resource monitoring program in North America. He also oversees the fisheries enhancement program including two production fish hatcheries and one research hatchery facility. Combined, these hatcheries comprise the largest red drum hatchery operation in the world. Dakus is responsible for leading the development of fisheries policy and regulations for coastal resources within Texas state waters, bays, and estuaries. He also serves on the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council to represent Texas interests in federal fisheries management challenges in off-shore waters. Dakus received a Master of Science Degree in Aquatic Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University.

In his free time, Dakus enjoys spending time with family, training dogs, fly fishing, volunteering in conservation organizations, attending as many baseball games as possible and cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs.