Oyster Task Force public meetings in 2024

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear an update on the 2024 oyster season from LDWF and a report on the 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event. A marketing proposal will also be presented. The meeting includes committee reports on enforcement, legislation, research, and aquaculture.

• Oyster season update from LDWF
• Update on the Let the World Be Your Oyster event by Anna Koehl, BMF
• Marketing opportunity update with Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment by John Bennett, Fox8
• Treasury report including LOTF financial report and oyster tag sales
• Committee reports on public/private oyster grounds, enforcement, legislative, legal, research, coastal restoration, marketing, health, and aquaculture

The Task Force approved funding for chefs and BMF staff to attend the 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event in Washington, D.C. Members also approved the October 2024 meeting minutes and the current treasury report. The board requested that LDWF include gear license reminders in annual renewal letters.

• Approved October 1, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved treasury report showing $537,995 fund balance and $68,946 budget balance
• Approved funding for chefs and BMF staff travel to 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event in Washington, D.C.
• Requested LDWF attach gear license reminders to annual renewal letters for retainer license holders

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear presentations on a federal crop insurance program for off-bottom oyster growers and a marketing opportunity with Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment. They will also consider funding for the LA Oyster Trail campaign, a WWLTV/Tegna marketing campaign, and the 2025 Let the World Be Your Oyster event. Additionally, the group will receive updates on oyster season and possible participation in 2025 Super Bowl events.

• Presentation on federal crop insurance for off-bottom oyster growers by Tarpon Blue Quentin Hart
• Consider funding for marketing opportunity with Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment
• Consider funding for LA Oyster Trail campaign
• Consider funding for WWLTV/Tegna marketing campaign
• Update on possible participation in 2025 Super Bowl events

The Task Force voted to postpone all current marketing and advertising proposals until BA-7 funding is secured. The board did approve reserving Dauphine’s Restaurant for the 2025 Let the World Be Your Oyster event.

• Approved August 28, 2024 meeting minutes
• Appointed George Ricks to the Coastal Restoration Committee
• Denied current marketing proposals, including WWLTV/Tegna and LA Oyster Trail, pending BA-7 funding
• Approved reservation of Dauphine’s Restaurant for 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event on January 22, 2025
• Tabled participation in 2025 Super Bowl events

Oyster Task Force

The Task Force approved changes to oyster bedding times and modified LDWF season recommendations regarding non-living material allowances and sacking area dates. The board also approved a $50,000 PR contract renewal and a resolution supporting Gulf hypoxia work.

• Approved changing bedding times to September 23rd
• Approved LDWF season recommendations with amendments to increase non-living material allowance to 30% and open sacking areas November 1st for specific regions
• Approved $50,000 to renew Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald PR contract
• Approved resolution to support continued work on Gulf hypoxia
• Authorized Chairman Mitch Jurisich to approve funding for 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event pending BA-7 budget adjustment
• Approved July 23, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved August 28, 2024 meeting agenda
• Approved treasury report showing $572,134 fund balance and $126,125 budget balance

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will hear an update on the Certified Louisiana Program and consider the 2024 Oyster Stock Assessment and season recommendations from LDWF. Members will also vote on proposals to change oyster harvest time-temperature recording requirements, support continued hypoxia work in the Gulf, and fund a PR contract, the 2025 Let the World Be Your Oyster Event, and possible participation in 2025 Super Bowl events.

• Consider 2024 Oyster Stock Assessment and Oyster Season Recommendations from LDWF
• Consider proposal for changing oyster harvest time-temperature recording requirements
• Consider resolution to support continued work on hypoxia in the Gulf
• Consider funding for 2024/2025 Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald PR contract
• Consider funding for 2025 Let the World Be Your Oyster Event and possible 2025 Super Bowl events

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to review committee reports and financial data. The body will discuss potential funding for marketing opportunities and the opening of public areas around Marsh Island.

• Discussion on opening public areas surrounding Marsh Island
• Consideration of a WWLTV marketing proposal
• Consideration of funding for a Fox 8 marketing opportunity
• Consideration of funding for 2025 Super Bowl events
• Final report on the 2021-2023 AOC Grant Program

The Oyster Task Force approved a special bedding-only oyster season opening for August 2024 in Vermillion-Atchafalaya Bay and will petition the LDWF Commission for the addition. The group also approved funding for an event breakfast and requested participation in 2025 Super Bowl events.

• Approved early August 2024 oyster season opening for bedding only in Vermillion-Atchafalaya Bay
• Approved motion to petition LDWF Commission to add special season opening to August agenda
• Approved up to $1,000 reimbursement for Oyster Day on the Bay breakfast
• Approved request to participate in 2025 Super Bowl events with FBO
• Approved June 12, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved treasury report showing fund balance of $584,254 and budget balance of $13,735

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet on June 12, 2024, to hear updates on the oyster season, receive committee reports, and consider several funding requests. Key items include a letter to Governor Landry seeking an oyster industry representative on the coastal commission, funding for Oyster Day in the Bay, and support for a documentary on the BP oil spill aftermath.

• Consider sending letter to Governor Landry requesting oyster industry representative on coastal commission
• Consider funding for 2024 Oyster Day in the Bay
• Hear final report on 2021-2023 AOC Grant Program
• Consider funding for marketing opportunity with Fox 8
• Consider funding for documentary on BP oil spill aftermath

The Task Force approved $11,000 for a booth at the 2025 LA Alive event and increased the professional services budget by $100,000. Members also approved funding for the Oyster Day on the Bay and voted to request an industry representative for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation.

• Approved $100,000 increase for professional services budget
• Approved $11,000 to sponsor a booth at the 2025 LA Alive event
• Approved up to $2,000 for fuel for Oyster Day on the Bay (proposed July 8-12)
• Approved request to Governor's office for an active oyster industry rep on the Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation
• Approved March 19, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved June 12, 2024 meeting agenda
• Approved treasury report showing $573,901 fund balance
• Postponed final report on 2021-2023 AOC Grant Program

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss oyster season updates, legislative items, and industry profitability. The agenda includes considering a notice of intent to designate state water bottoms as public oyster seed grounds.

• Consideration of NOI to designate certain State Water Bottoms as Public Oyster Seed Grounds
• Discussion of HB-342 regarding AOC container prohibitions
• Discussion on the profitability of the caged oyster culture industry
• Presentation and consideration of funding for a marketing opportunity with Fox 8
• Update on Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion status

The task force approved statutory changes to the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board and voted to support a documentary on the BP oil spill. A proposal to designate new public oyster seed grounds in Lafourche Parish failed to carry. The board also received updates on oyster season harvest estimates and the Restore Small Business Loan Program.

• Approved statutory changes to the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board
• Approved letters of support and funding requests for RHB Production’s BP oil spill documentary
• Denied proposal to designate state water bottoms as public oyster seed grounds in Lafourche Parish
• Approved February 6, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved financial report showing fund balance of $568,335 and budget balance of $36,493

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force meets to hear updates and discuss regulatory matters. Items include a secretarial permit for bag-less dredges in West Cove, Calcasieu Lake, and impending legislation to prohibit AOC cages in unapproved areas. Reports will be given on enforcement, research, coastal restoration, and an oyster season update. Officer elections are also scheduled.

• Secretarial permit authorizing bag-less dredges in West Cove, Calcasieu Lake
• Legislation to prohibit AOC cages in unapproved areas
• Oyster seed ground vessel permit (RS 56:433.1)
• Funding for Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald D.C. travel
• Officer elections

The Task Force elected Mitch Jurisich as Chairman and Peter Vujnovich as Vice-Chair. The board approved $2,400 for social media promotion of the 2024 Oyster South Symposium and funded travel expenses for a trip to Washington, D.C. Members also reviewed oyster season harvest estimates and enforcement reports.

• Elected Mitch Jurisich as Chairman and Peter Vujnovich as Vice-Chair
• Approved $2,400 for social media advertising and geo-fencing for the 2024 Oyster South Symposium
• Approved funding for Anna Koehl’s (BMF) travel to Washington, D.C.
• Approved December 12, 2023 meeting minutes
• Approved treasury report showing $587,662 in funds
• Deferred discussion on legislation prohibiting AOC cages in unapproved areas