Oyster Task Force public meetings in 2021
8 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss oyster tagging and gifting regulations, as well as the status of hiring Joe Piacun for legal counsel. The agenda also includes updates on USDA Covid-19 grants and a cooperative agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish.
- Discussion of Oyster Tagging and Gifting Regulations
- Status update on hiring Joe Piacun for OTF Legal Counsel
- Discussion of USDA Covid-19 Grants
- Update on Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish
- Discussion of a Commercial Inland Oyster Hatchery
The task force approved the October 2021 minutes and the current financial report. A proposal to establish a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Louisiana was referred to the Research Committee for further review. The board also received updates on USDA pandemic grants and AOC grant funding.
- Approved October 28, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved December 7, 2021 meeting agenda
- Approved financial report showing $576,131 fund balance
- Referred National Estuarine Research Reserve proposal to Research Committee
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to approve minutes, receive treasury and committee reports, and discuss new business. New business items include a status update on hiring Joe Piacun for legal counsel, discussion of USDA COVID-19 grants, oyster tagging and gifting regulations, buying and selling oyster seed, an update on oyster stock, and a cooperative endeavor agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish. Public comment will be taken.
- Status update on hiring Joe Piacun for OTF legal counsel
- Discussion of USDA COVID-19 grants
- Oyster tagging and gifting regulations
- Buying and selling oyster seed
- Update on cooperative endeavor agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish
The Oyster Task Force approved its financial report and set a 30-day deadline for the LDWF to approve or deny the hiring of Joe Piacun as legal counsel. The board also discussed oyster seed programs and the impact of Hurricane Ida on oyster stocks.
- Approved September 28, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved October 19, 2021 meeting agenda
- Unanimously approved financial report (Fund Balance: $564,351; Budget Balance: $129,876)
- Approved motion to allow LDWF 30 days to approve or deny legal contract for Joe Piacun
- Deferred discussion on buying and selling oyster seed until Brandi Shelley can attend
- Voted to refer to 'Failed Bohemia Salinity Control Structure' instead of 'Mardi Gras Pass'
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to hear a presentation on trip tickets, discuss temperature requirements in oyster coolers, and consider the POLR program and reef cleanup after storms. They will also discuss a cooperative endeavor agreement with Plaquemines Parish regarding the closure of Mardi Gras Pass and a status update on hiring legal counsel.
- Presentation on trip tickets by LDWF/OTF
- Discussion of temperature requirements in oyster coolers
- Discussion of POLR program and reef cleanup after storms
- Discussion and consideration of a cooperative endeavor agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish regarding closure of Mardi Gras Pass
- Status update on hiring Joe Piacun for OTF legal counsel
The task force renewed a cooperative endeavor agreement with Plaquemines Parish regarding Mardi Gras Pass and allocated $1,000 for promotional items. It also referred the development of a reef rehabilitation program to the Public Private Oyster Seed Grounds Committee.
- Approved August 24, 2021 meeting minutes
- Accepted treasury report showing $558,461 fund balance
- Approved up to $1,000 for promotional items and oysters for the Weights and Measures Conference
- Renewed and updated the cooperative endeavor agreement between LDWF and Plaquemines Parish Government
- Referred the creation of a POLR Program for reef rehabilitation to the Public Private Oyster Seed Grounds Committee
- Postponed discussion on buying and selling oyster seed to a future meeting
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will review oyster stock assessment results and season recommendations. The agenda includes discussions on a temporary natural reef in Lake Barre and potential sustainability certifications via Audubon GULF.
- Oyster stock assessment results and 2021/22 season recommendations
- Temporary Natural Reef recommendation for Lake Barre
- Coastal restoration and protection activities update from CPRA
- Sustainability certification discussions with Audubon GULF
- Cooperative Endeavor Agreement regarding Mardi Gras Pass closure
The task force approved the LDWF 2021 oyster season recommendations and a temporary opening in Lake Barre. Members authorized up to $30,000 for the 2022 LA Alive event and rejected a proposed sustainability resolution. The group also supported a Shellevator demo project pending agency approval.
- Approved July 20, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $558,564
- Supported Shellevator demo project pending LDH and LDWF approval
- Supported LDWF’s 2021 Oyster Season recommendations
- Supported temporary oyster season opening in Lake Barre (Oct 11-22, 2021)
- Denied support for the proposed sustainability resolution
- Approved $30,000 funding cap for 2022 LA Alive event
- Tabled legal counsel contract for Joe Piacun pending receipt of document
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss a cooperative agreement regarding the closure of Mardi Gras Pass and provide comments on the Fisheries Disaster Spending Plan. The agenda also includes updates on oyster-related bills and a presentation on offshore wind development.
- Discussion of Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Mardi Gras Pass closure
- Discussion of public comment on Fisheries Disaster Spending Plan
- Legislative update on oyster-related bills
- Presentation on offshore wind development in the Gulf
- Review of LOTF financial report and oyster tag sales
The Task Force approved requests for federal and state funding to close Mardi Gras Pass. Members also voted to request changes to oyster tags and to oppose offshore wind cable placement in oyster leases.
- Approved request for $8M from Fisheries Disaster Spending Plan to close Mardi Gras Pass
- Approved letter to Senator Cassidy, Senator Kennedy, and Congressman Carter for federal funding for Mardi Gras Pass closure
- Approved request to LDWF to include sack, mini sack, and bushel on tags
- Approved comment to keep offshore wind development cables out of LA oyster leases
- Approved participation in the 2022 LA Alive event
- Approved May 11, 2021 meeting minutes
- Accepted treasury report showing $546,751 fund balance and $110,421 budget balance
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to receive updates on oyster management plans and legislative bills. The body will discuss the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Draft EIS and consider funding for the 2022 LA Fisheries Forward Summit.
- Update on designating temporary natural reef ahead of Terrebonne Bayou Marsh Creation
- Request for LDWF to submit a comment on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion EIS
- Discussion of Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish resolutions opposing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Draft EIS
- Consideration of funding for the 2022 LA Fisheries Forward Summit
- Status update on the Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan
The Task Force voted to support the development of the AOC grant program and requested that LDWF maintain the oyster harvester's license fee at $100. Members also defined a specific scope of work for legal counsel Joe Piacun to address LDWF contract requirements. The body discussed opposition to the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion and reviewed oyster moratorium application updates.
- Approved April 6, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $495,744
- Approved support for AOC grant program and providing representatives
- Approved request for LDWF to keep harvester license fee at $100
- Approved $5,000 funding for 2022 LA Fisheries Forward Summit
- Approved revised scope of services for legal counsel Joe Piacun for LDWF review
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss the 2019 Fisheries Disaster spending plan, proposed commercial licensing restructuring, a new reef project, and a NOAA grant for mooring systems. They will also consider hiring Joe Piacun as counsel and submit comments on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion EIS.
- Discuss 2019 Fisheries Disaster Spending Plan (LDWF)
- Discuss Proposed Commercial Licensing Restructure (LDWF)
- Discuss Designating a Temporary Natural Reef for Terrebonne Bayou Marsh Creation (LDWF)
- Presentation on newly funded NOAA grant for AOC Floating Cage Mooring Systems (LA Sea Grant)
- Discuss submitting Joint Task Force comment on Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion EIS
The Task Force requested that $10 million of federal fisheries disaster funding be used to close Mardi Gras Pass and voted to maintain the current $.05 per tag funding structure for the Oyster Development account. Members also recommended a biological assessment for a potential temporary bedding season in Lake Barre.
- Approved March 9, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $480,763
- Requested LDWF meet with OTF to discuss spending distribution of the Oyster Strategic and Rehabilitation Plan
- Motioned to request $10 million of $58 million in federal disaster funding for the closure of Mardi Gras Pass
- Requested LDWF maintain the Oyster Development account funding at $.05 per oyster tag sale
- Recommended LDWF conduct a biological assessment to determine if a limited bedding season should be established in Lake Barre
- Appointed John Tesvich as representative to draft comments on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Draft EIS
- Approved hiring Joe Piacun as legal counsel
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review committee reports and conduct officer elections. The body will discuss the FDA's proposed traceability rule and a proposed restructure of commercial licensing.
- Presentation on remote setting oyster larvae by LA Sea Grant
- Discussion on oyster mortality issues on the West Bank of Plaquemines
- Proposed addition of an aquaculture representative seat to the board
- Discussion on hiring Joe Piacun as legal counsel
- Review of the Oyster Lease Acquisition and Compensation Program changes
The Task Force approved $5,000 for a new website and social media accounts. Members also voted to create a working group to draft public comments on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion EIS. The group discussed oyster mortality on the west bank and concerns regarding LDWF licensing restructure proposals.
- Approved $5,000 for the development of an OTF website through BMF
- Approved forming a working group to draft public comment on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion EIS
- Approved creating a mission statement to be added to all agendas and materials
- Approved the Treasury Report showing a fund balance of $476,263
- Approved the December 2, 2020 meeting minutes
- Re-elected Mitch Jurisich as chairman and Peter Vujnovich as vice-chairman
- Denied/withdrew motion to add a seat to the task force for an oyster aquaculture representative