Oyster Task Force public meetings in 2022
10 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to consider amending oyster tags and receive updates on the 2021 oyster mortality event in the Empire/Port Sulphur area. The board will also hear updates regarding an industry meeting with the Corps of Engineers and consider funding for board member travel to the 2023 ISSC.
- Discussion of amending Oyster Tags
- Update on 2021 Oyster Mortality Event in Empire/Port Sulphur Area
- Update on Oyster Industry Meeting with the Corps of Engineers
- Consideration of funding for travel and stay for OTF Board Members for the 2023 ISSC
- Review of LOTF Financial Report and Oyster Tag Sales
The Task Force approved a formal request to General Holland of the Corps of Engineers for a meeting and a delay in issuing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project permit. The board also approved funding for members to attend the 2023 Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference and approved the November treasury report.
- Approved request to General Holland of the Corps of Engineers for a meeting and delay of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project permit
- Approved funding for travel, registration, and accommodations for the 2023 Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference
- Approved November treasury report showing a fund balance of $561,143
- Approved report and recommendations from the Public-Private Oyster Seed Grounds Committee regarding oyster tag changes
- Approved November 15, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved December 13, 2022 meeting agenda
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review financial reports and committee updates. The agenda includes discussions on amending oyster tags, reviewing 2023 ISSC proposals, and hearing updates on low salinity tolerant oyster research.
- Discussion regarding amending oyster tags
- Review of 2023 ISSC Proposals
- Update on Low Salinity Tolerant Oyster Research
- Update on the 2021 Oyster Mortality Event in Empire/Port Sulphur Area
- Status update on AOC Grants from LA Sea Grant
The Task Force approved requests to the LA Department of Health and the ISSC to modify time and temperature regulations for white and green oyster tags. The board also approved a letter to the Grand Isle Port Commission regarding lease equipment deployment. A motion to remove bond requirements for Shellevator gear was defeated.
- Approved request for LA Department of Health to increase time/temperature regulations on white tags
- Approved 2023 ISSC proposal to restore green tag regulations to water temperature and increase time/temperature matrix from 12 to 16 hours
- Approved letter to Grand Isle Port Commission to enforce 6-month equipment deployment clause and allow extensions for extenuating circumstances
- Denied motion to request LDWF withdraw removal bond requirements for Shellevator AOC gear
- Approved funding up to $2,500 for OTF promotional items
- Approved funding for a sympathy card, flowers, or donation for Pete Cibilic (later determined ineligible for OTF funding)
- Approved October 11, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $546,514
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force meets to discuss and vote on several items affecting the state's oyster industry. Key actions include considering a comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, reviewing oyster season rules, and discussing the Corps' plan for Neptune Pass. The meeting also covers committee reports, treasury updates, and an update on the 2021 oyster mortality event.
- To consider submitting Oyster Task Force comment on the Final EIS for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion
- To hear a reminder on oyster season rules from LDWF
- To discuss the Corps' plan for Neptune Pass
- To hear an update on the 2021 oyster mortality event in the Empire/Port Sulphur area
- To consider 2023 ISSC proposals
The board approved multiple actions to oppose the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, including sending letters to the Corps of Engineers and requesting LDWF submit a comment. The task force also voted to request the complete closure of Neptune Pass and proposed changes to oyster tag temperature regulations.
- Approved sending a joint letter to the Corps of Engineers opposing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion permit
- Approved writing a letter to the Corps of Engineers requesting an extension of the comment period deadline
- Approved submitting an OTF comment opposing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion permit
- Approved requesting LDWF submit a comment on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion final EIS
- Approved writing a letter to the Corps of Engineers requesting complete closure of Neptune Pass
- Approved requesting LDWF submit a letter for the complete closure of Neptune Pass
- Approved ISSC proposal to change green tag time/temperature regulations from 8 hours back to 16 hours
- Approved ISSC proposal to change white tag refrigeration time from 1 hour to 5 hours
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear committee reports on public/private grounds, enforcement, legislation, research, coastal restoration, marketing, health, and aquaculture. New business includes an overview of the 2022/23 approved oyster season, a presentation on LA seafood markets, discussion of the failed Bohemia Salinity Control Structure, and consideration of renewing the marketing and PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald.
- Overview of 2022/23 approved oyster season by LDWF
- Presentation on LA seafood markets, buyers, and untapped markets by Dr. Steven Barnes
- Update on LA Sea Grant AOC Grant Project
- Discussion of failed Bohemia Salinity Control Structure and closure plans
- Consideration of renewal of marketing/PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald and associated funding
The board approved a 12-month PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald for up to $50,000. Members reviewed the 2022/23 oyster season regulations for Vermillion and Atchafalaya Bays and discussed opposing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project.
- Approved August 16, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved September 20, 2022 meeting agenda
- Approved treasury report showing $555,160 fund balance
- Approved 12-month PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald up to $50,000
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to receive the 2022/23 oyster stock assessment and season recommendations from LDWF, hear a presentation on Vibrio and other microbes in oysters, and discuss possible opening of Bay Coquette and Sandy Point. The meeting also includes committee reports on enforcement, legislation, and aquaculture, and consideration of funding for a 'Day on the Bay' event.
- Oyster stock assessment results and 2022/23 season recommendations from LDWF
- Presentation on Vibrios and other microbes in Louisiana's oysters by Dr. Crystal Johnson
- Request for LDH to take samples at Bay Coquette and Sandy Point for possible opening
- Update on oyster industry marketing campaign with WWLTV and Tegna
- Discussion of AOC oyster harvesting regulations
The Task Force approved a specific schedule for bedding and sacking openings for the 2022-23 season, including a 50-sack daily limit for statewide sacking. Members also approved funding for fuel for two 'Days on the Bay' scouting events. The board accepted the treasury report and approved previous meeting minutes.
- Approved 2022-23 season recommendations including statewide sacking opening Oct 10 with 50 sacks/day limit
- Approved funding for fuel for two 'Days on the Bay' scouting events
- Approved June 7, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved August 16, 2022 meeting agenda
- Accepted treasury report showing $544,605 fund balance
- Appointed Steve Pollock as aquaculture committee chairman
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss financial reports and committee updates. The body will consider funding for an oyster industry marketing campaign and the 2023 LA Fisheries Forward Summit.
- Funding for an oyster industry marketing campaign with WWLTV and Tegna
- Funding for the 2023 LA Fisheries Forward Summit
- Legislative update on oyster-related bills
- Update on oyster tag issues
- Review of LOTF financial report and oyster tag sales
The task force approved a budget adjustment for a 12-week marketing campaign and allocated funds for a fisheries summit. The body also reviewed enforcement reports regarding oyster harvesting violations and received updates on pending legislation.
- Approved May 3, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved June 7, 2022 meeting agenda
- Accepted treasury report showing $583,020 fund balance
- Approved $70,000 budget adjustment for WWLTV and Tegna marketing campaign
- Approved $5,000 in funding for the 2023 LA Fisheries Forward Summit
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear presentations on the LDWF oyster shell assessment survey and low salinity tolerant oyster research from ULL. They will discuss oyster tag issues, a legislative update on oyster-related bills, and the LDAF's LA Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Program. A key discussion item is the Oyster Strategic Plan and the possibility of funding the closure of the failed Bohemia Salinity Control Structure and a partial opening of the MRGO.
- Presentation on LDWF Oyster Shell Assessment Survey results
- Update on Low Salinity Tolerant Oyster Research from ULL
- Discussion of Oyster Strategic Plan and funding for Bohemia Salinity Control Structure closure and MRGO partial opening
- Legislative update on oyster-related bills
- Update on LDAF's LA Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Program
The Task Force withdrew support for HB 234 regarding board composition and approved a letter of support to add oysters to the Domesticated Aquatic Organisms Approved Species List. Members also motioned to request an exception from the ISSC regarding green tag refrigeration requirements.
- Approved March 15, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $586,399
- Approved motion to request ISSC exception for green tag refrigeration hours (12 to 15 hours) from May-Oct
- Approved letter of support to LDWF Commission to add oysters to Domesticated Aquatic Organisms Approved Species List
- Withdrew support for House Bill 234 regarding OTF composition
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear updates on low salinity tolerant oyster research, a presentation on CRCL's oyster shell recycling program, and an update on the Oyster Seed Ground Permit Review Board. They will also discuss and consider a legislative proposal to allow any parish to represent the LODAG Association on the task force.
- Update on low salinity tolerant oyster research from ULL
- Presentation on CRCL's Oyster Shell Recycling Program
- Update on Oyster Seed Ground Permit Review Board
- Discussion and consideration of legislative proposal to allow any parish to represent LODAG Association on the task force
The Task Force approved a legislative proposal to allow any parish to represent the LODGA Association and to add a seat for the LA Oyster Aquaculture Association. The board also recommended reopening Sister Lake for an additional oyster season from March 21-23, 2022. Members reviewed enforcement reports and a presentation on oyster shell recycling.
- Approved legislative proposal to allow any parish to represent LODGA Association and add a seat for LA Oyster Aquaculture Association
- Recommended reopening Sister Lake for an additional oyster season March 21-23, 2022, with a 25-sack limit per vessel per day
- Approved February 22, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved March 15, 2022 meeting agenda as amended
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will discuss and consider changes to the 2019 Flood Disaster Spending Plan, the reopening of the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation, and several legislative proposals including lowering Coastal Use Permit costs, modifying oyster cooler time/temperature requirements, and updating oyster tagging regulations. Officer elections and committee reports are also on the agenda.
- Discuss and consider changes to the 2019 Flood Disaster Spending Plan
- Discuss reopening of Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation
- Consider proposal to lower cost associated with Coastal Use Permit
- Consider legislative proposals on oyster cooler time/temperature requirements, tagging regulations, and untagged sacks
- Officer elections
The board voted to maintain the 2019 Flood Disaster Spending Plan without changes, rejecting a proposal to shift funds toward direct payments. The task force also approved the season proposal for the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation and re-elected its current officers.
- Approved February 1, 2022 meeting minutes
- Accepted Treasury Report showing $586,399 fund balance
- Voted to leave 2019 Flood Disaster Spending Plan as is
- Approved LDWF season proposal for Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation (March 7-10)
- Tabled resolution on $100 Coastal Use Permit fees pending DNR feedback
- Re-elected Mitch Jurisich as chairman and Peter Vujnovich as vice-chair
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear updates on the 2021 Fisheries Disaster Declaration and the Oyster Strategic Plan from LDWF. They will also discuss LDH lease checking rules and a mitigation plan for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. A contract with PR firm Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald will be considered for funding.
- Update on 2021 Fisheries Disaster Declaration from LDWF
- Status update on Oyster Strategic Plan from LDWF
- Discussion of LDH lease checking rules and permitting guidelines
- Update on stewardship and mitigation plan for Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion from CPRA
- Consider contract and funding with OTF PR firm Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald
The Task Force approved the December 2021 minutes, the February 1 agenda, and the treasury report. Members renewed a $40,000 contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald. The board discussed fisheries disaster declarations, the oyster strategic plan, and mitigation funds for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.
- Approved December 7, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved February 1, 2022 meeting agenda
- Approved treasury report showing $582,558 fund balance
- Postponed presentation on National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Renewed $40,000 contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald