Oyster Task Force public meetings in 2023
10 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear an oyster season update from LDWF and consider funding for a WWLTV/Tegna marketing segment, Washington D.C. marketing items, and hiring legal counsel. The meeting also includes approval of minutes, a treasury report, and committee reports on enforcement, legislation, research, and aquaculture.
- Hear an oyster season update from LDWF
- Consider funding for a WWLTV/Tegna OTF marketing segment
- Consider funding for Washington D.C. marketing items
- Consider hiring Oyster Task Force legal counsel
- Treasury report and oyster tag sales
The Task Force approved funding for a television marketing campaign and promotional items for a Washington, D.C. trip. Members discussed gear license legislation and reviewed oyster season harvest data and enforcement reports.
- Approved $21,250 for a 4-week WWLTV/Tegna oyster marketing campaign
- Approved up to $5,000 for marketing and promotional items for January 2024 Washington, D.C. trip
- Approved September 20, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved October 24, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved December 12, 2023 meeting agenda
- Deferred consideration of hiring legal counsel to a future meeting
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to hear an update on the oyster season and discuss evaluating leases incapable of production. The group will also consider hiring a legal consultant and funding for industry YouTube snippets.
- Update on the Oyster Season from LDWF
- Discussion on evaluation of leases incapable of oyster production
- Re-consideration of motion to lower sack limit in Calcasieu Lake
- Consideration of hiring an Oyster Task Force legal consultant
- Consideration of funding for Oyster Industry YouTube Snippets
The Task Force voted to strongly oppose the initiative to evaluate leases incapable of oyster production. The board also deferred action on lowering sack limits in Calcasieu Lake and approved the treasury report.
- Approved treasury report with $567,787 fund balance
- Voted to strongly oppose the 'Evaluation of Leases Incapable of Oyster Production' initiative
- Indefinitely deferred action on lowering the sack limit in Calcasieu Lake
- Approved amended October 24, 2023 meeting agenda
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review committee reports and discuss industry management. The body will consider changes to harvest limits and the funding of legal and marketing contracts.
- Proposed changes to Bohemia Salinity Control Structure Plan
- Proposal to lower West Cove sack limit to 7 sacks per day
- Consideration of hiring an Oyster Task Force legal consultant
- Funding for Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald Marketing/PR contract renewal
- Funding for Oyster Day on the Bay and Oyster Industry YouTube snippets
The Task Force recommended that the LDWF Commission reduce the sack limit in West Cove from 15 to 10 sacks to preserve resources. The board also renewed a $50,000 marketing contract and approved $2,000 for an 'Oyster Day in the Bay' event.
- Approved August 29, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved September 20, 2023 meeting agenda
- Approved treasury report with fund balance of $574,565
- Recommended LDWF Commission reduce West Cove sack limit from 15 to 10 (Opposed: Al Sunseri)
- Postponed hiring of legal consultant to a future meeting
- Approved $50,000 one-year renewal of Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald marketing/PR contract
- Approved $2,000 cap for boat costs and fuel for Oyster Day in the Bay
- Postponed consideration of $15K-per-video YouTube snippets until next meeting
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear updates on the 2019 fisheries disaster funding, oyster stock assessment results and 2023/24 season recommendations, and a public grounds e-reporting application. They will also consider funding for oyster industry YouTube snippets and travel for the Walk the Hill and 2024 LA Alive event.
- Hear oyster stock assessment results and 2023/24 season recommendations
- Update on 2019 Fisheries Disaster Funding
- Consider funding for oyster industry YouTube snippets
- Consider funding and travel for Walk the Hill and 2024 LA Alive event
- Update on public grounds e-reporting application for 2023/24 season
The Task Force approved the LDWF oyster season recommendations and updated oyster lease damage cost calculations. The board also authorized funding for social media marketing and travel for the 2024 LA Alive event.
- Approved LDWF's 2023/24 oyster season recommendations
- Approved updated oyster lease damage evaluation cost calculations
- Approved $850 for paid social media and email marketing
- Approved funding for board travel and a booth at the 2024 LA Alive event
- Approved treasury report showing $571,034 fund balance
- Approved funding for a floral arrangement for the Vujnovich family
- Approved June 6, 2023 meeting minutes
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to hear updates on the Oyster Strategic Plan and the 2023/24 oyster season timeline. The agenda also includes presentations on an LDWF E-Reporting Pilot Program and an update from the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board.
- Update on the Oyster Strategic Plan
- Presentation on 2022/23 Public Seed Grounds Oyster Harvest
- Presentation on LDWF E-Reporting Pilot Program
- Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board Update
- Consideration of funding for travel to the 2024 LA Alive Event
The Task Force approved the May 9, 2023 minutes and a treasury report showing a fund balance of $624,107. Members discussed the Oyster Strategic Plan, a new electronic reporting pilot program, and potential disaster funding from NOAA. No final decision was reached regarding travel funding for the 2024 LA Alive event.
- Approved May 9, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved June 6, 2023 meeting agenda as amended
- Approved treasury report with $624,107 fund balance
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss rules for White and Green Tag usage and the packing of oysters in gallon containers. The agenda also includes a presentation on HB255, which proposes a tax credit for restaurants recycling oyster shells.
- Discussion on White Tag and Green Tag usage and regulations
- Presentation on HB255 regarding restaurant oyster shell recycling tax credits
- Discussion on packing oysters in gallon containers
- Request for LDWF Secretary feedback on Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion
- Update from the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board
The task force referred the issue of white/green tag usage and shucked oyster packing standards to joint committees for further development. The board also requested that LDWF Secretary Shadoin attend the next meeting to provide feedback on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.
- Approved April 11, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved May 9, 2023 meeting agenda
- Approved treasury report showing $585,450 fund balance
- Denied request to add hard copy law books to New Business agenda
- Referred white/green tag usage and rules to Joint Health and LDWF Enforcement Committee
- Referred shucked meat packing and labeling issues to a joint committee of Health, LDWF Enforcement, LDAF, and LRA
- Approved request for LDWF Secretary Shadoin to attend the next meeting
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review committee reports and discuss several industry updates. The body will consider funding for a marketing campaign and discuss changes to oyster processing regulations and vessel permits.
- Funding for an oyster industry marketing campaign with WWLTV and Tegna
- Proposed legislation HB438 regarding the oyster vessel permit
- LDH oyster processing regulations and recent changes
- Nominations for the Oyster Task Force seat on the Damage Evaluation Board
- Update on the Lo-Spat Oyster Project from Dr. Beth Stauffer, ULL
The Task Force approved a $35,000 marketing campaign with WWLTV and Tegna to begin July 1, 2023. Members also voted to oppose the movement of oysters from the east coast to the Gulf of Mexico and appointed a new representative to the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board.
- Approved $35,000 for WWLTV and Tegna marketing campaign starting July 1, 2023
- Approved motion to write letter of objection to Hatchery Certification Board and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission regarding east coast oyster movement
- Nominated Sam Slavich to replace Matthew Slavich on the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board
- Approved March 14, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report showing $570,786 remaining fund balance
- Decided to address seed size situation only if/when it arises
- Postponed discussion on LDH Oyster Processing Regulations to a future meeting
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet on March 14, 2023, to hear an update on the 2023 Coastal Master Plan and CPRA's Annual Plan, and discuss possible oyster-related legislative proposals. Other agenda items include potential changes to the Damage Evaluation Board, non-resident gear license regulations, and funding for the Chairman's Reception at the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference.
- Update on 2023 Coastal Master Plan and CPRA's Annual Plan by Brian Lezina
- Discussion of possible 2023 oyster-related legislative proposals
- Consideration of changes to the Damage Evaluation Board
- Discussion of non-resident gear license regulations
- Consideration of funding for Chairman's Reception at 2023 Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference
The task force voted to withdraw a previous recommendation to oppose the Cameron Parish LNG Project. Members also approved funding for a sanitation conference dinner and moved to combine certain gear licenses with vessel permits via future legislation.
- Approved treasury report with $574,057 fund balance
- Approved up to $7,000 for the 2023 Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference Chairman’s Dinner
- Approved motion to make Public Oyster Seed Ground gear license an extension of the vessel permit
- Withdrew recommendation to write a letter of opposition regarding the Cameron Parish LNG Project
- Referred Damage Evaluation Board methodology and valuation updates to the Public-Private Oyster Seed Grounds Committee
- Approved February 14, 2023 meeting minutes
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review committee reports and financial data. The body will discuss seasonal reclassification lines in Vermilion and Iberia Parishes and consider a letter regarding the Cameron Parish LNG Project.
- Seasonal Reclassification Line in LA28 (Vermilion and Iberia Parishes)
- Letter regarding the Cameron Parish LNG Project
- Progress of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project
- Oyster Strike Force License Fee
- LDWF reporting of harvesting information
The task force approved the creation of a new letter opposing the Cameron Parish LNG project, which must be reviewed by the board before being signed by Vice-Chair Peter Vujnovich. The board also approved the January 24 meeting minutes and the February 14 treasury report.
- Approved January 24, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved February 14, 2023 meeting agenda
- Approved treasury report showing $571,515 remaining fund balance
- Approved drafting a new letter opposing the Cameron Parish LNG project (1 abstain)
Oyster Task Force
The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss the Cameron Parish LNG Project, the Oyster Strike Force License Fee, and a proposal to open Sister Lake for February 2023. They will also consider funding for marketing and hold officer elections. Committee reports and a treasury report are on the agenda.
- Discussion of Cameron Parish LNG Project (presentation by Travis Dardar)
- Discussion of Oyster Strike Force License Fee (OTF/LDWF)
- Proposal to open Sister Lake from February 1 to February 28, 2023
- Consider funding for Oyster Task Force marketing
- Officer elections
The board approved funding for the 2023 ISSC Conference and marketing materials for the LA Fisheries Forward Summit. Members voted to request that LDWF consider opening Sister Lake for February 2023 and approved changes to oyster tags. The board also elected Mitch Jurisich as chair and Peter Vujnovich as vice chair.
- Approved December 13, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved treasury report with $568,752 fund balance
- Approved funding for breakout room, drinks, and pastries at 2023 ISSC Conference
- Approved $500 for 2023 LA Fisheries Forward Summit marketing materials
- Approved request for LDWF to look into opening Sister Lake
- Approved changes to oyster tags with additional space for count
- Elected Mitch Jurisich as chair and Peter Vujnovich as vice chair
- Deferred vote on Cameron Parish LNG project opposition letter