Oyster Task Force public meetings in 2025

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss several contracts and regulatory recommendations. The body will consider funding for seafood testing and a contract amendment for a promotional event. Members will also discuss a planned oyster facility in Grand Isle.

• Contract amendment for Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald (BMF) to host 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event
• Funding for SeaD Consulting seafood testing
• Draft letter to Grand Isle Port Commission and Jefferson Parish Council regarding a planned oyster facility
• Recommendation to LDH to revise regulations for off-bottom oyster sales from AOC farmers
• Financial report on oyster tag sales

The Task Force approved a contract amendment for Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald to simplify reimbursements for two events. Members deferred decisions on RNA seafood testing and a draft letter regarding a Grand Isle oyster facility to subcommittees.

• Approved October 14, 2025 meeting minutes
• Approved amended November 12, 2025 agenda
• Accepted treasury report showing $569,174 fund balance
• Approved contract amendment for BMF to handle expenses for 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' and 'Louisiana Live' events
• Deferred funding proposal for SeaD Consulting RNA seafood testing pending a rewritten proposal
• Deferred discussion on draft letter to Grand Isle Port Commission and Jefferson Parish Council to a subcommittee
• Suspended delivery of the Grand Isle facility letter until the next meeting

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss committee reports, treasury updates, and several new business items. Key topics include a resolution regarding LDH regulations that prevent off-bottom oyster farmers from selling to traditional dealers, and a resolution to promote cooked oyster product sales. The meeting also covers updates on the oyster moratorium lifting process and potential funding for an industry event.

• Resolution on LDH regulation restricting off-bottom oyster sales to traditional dealers
• Resolution to promote expansion through cooked oyster product sales
• Discussion of LDH and LDWF rules for processing off-bottom oysters onshore
• Update on Grand Isle Oyster Processing Facility for off-bottom cultured oysters
• Update on oyster moratorium lifting process

The Task Force approved a letter of support for research on oyster reef biofilm and recommended adding a representative from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to the board. The group also voted to send a letter to the Grand Isle Port Commission and Jefferson Parish Council regarding certification for a planned processing facility.

• Approved letter of support for Dr. Bliss Broussard's biofilm research
• Recommended a new non-voting membership seat for a LDAF representative
• Approved motion to send a letter to Grand Isle Port Commission and Jefferson Parish Council regarding facility certification
• Accepted treasury report showing $558,399 fund balance
• Approved August 26, 2025 meeting minutes
• Deferred resolution on LDH regulations for off-bottom oyster sales
• Withdrew resolution to increase cooked oyster sales to be sent to Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board
• Deferred funding for 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss Executive Order on seafood competitiveness, hear updates on low salinity oyster research and the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, and consider the 2024 Oyster Stock Assessment and season recommendations. They will also consider funding for a public event and a PR contract.

• Discuss Executive Order 'Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness' with Bryan Wallace
• Hear update on low salinity oyster research from OTF/Beth Stauffer
• Consider 2024 Oyster Stock Assessment and season recommendations from LDWF
• Discuss and consider funding to host the 'Let the World Be Your Oyster' event
• Consider funding for a 2025/2026 Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald PR contract

The task force approved $50,000 for the 2026 Let the World Be Your Oyster event and $50,000 for a one-year PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald. Members also voted to suggest a three-day bedding season for the northern Pontchartrain basin area. Several items regarding oyster licenses and lease buy-backs were referred to the Legislative Committee.

• Approved up to $50,000 for the 2026 Let the World Be Your Oyster event
• Approved $50,000 for a one-year PR contract with Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald
• Suggested a 3-day bedding season for northern Pontchartrain basin (Sister Lake remains at 1 day)
• Referred oyster harvester license revocation issues to the Legislative Committee
• Referred potential buy-back of leases in Mid-Barataria fallout area to the Legislative Committee
• Accepted financial report showing $555,820 fund balance and $85,361 budget balance
• Approved June 10, 2025 meeting minutes

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force is meeting to discuss enforcement of oyster gallon container standards, terminating funding for low-salinity oyster research, and a proposal to let harvesters switch from white to green tags in emergencies. The board will also consider funding for the 2026 Louisiana Alive event.

• Discussion on terminating research funding for low-salinity oysters
• Proposal to allow oyster harvesters to switch from white to green tags in emergencies
• Consideration of funding for the 2026 Louisiana Alive event
• Treasury report including oyster tag sales
• Committee reports on public/private grounds, enforcement, and health

The task force approved a funding estimate for a methodology study on biofilm on cultch material and dedicated $15,000 for a booth at the 2026 LA Live event. Members also discussed transitioning oyster container labeling to net drain weight and potential rule changes for switching oyster tags during cooler failures.

• Approved May 6, 2025 meeting minutes
• Approved June 10, 2025 meeting agenda
• Accepted treasury report showing $549,948 fund balance
• Approved receiving funding estimate for biofilm on cultch methodology study
• Approved $15,000 for a booth at the 2026 LA Live event

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet on May 6, 2025, to hear updates on possible Bonnet Carre Spillway operations, oyster legislation, and the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. They will also discuss the oyster relay application process, the status of Sea Grant funding in the proposed 2026 federal budget, and consider funding for an Oyster Day on the Bay and a visioning workshop.

• Update on possible Bonnet Carre Spillway operations
• Oyster legislative update
• Update on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion
• Status of National Sea Grant Office and Louisiana Sea Grant in the proposed 2026 federal budget
• Consider funding for an Oyster Day on the Bay and a 'LA Oysters in Commerce' workshop

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to discuss streamlining the LDWF licensing process and the possibility of an electronic system, as well as a proposed August 2025 workshop on the future of Louisiana oysters. The group will also consider funding to hire a legislative representative. Committee reports will cover public and private oyster grounds, enforcement, legislation, research, coastal restoration, marketing, health, and aquaculture.

• Discuss streamlining the LDWF licensing process and the possibility of an electronic system
• Discuss an August 2025 day-long workshop, 'LA Oysters in Commerce: Visioning the Future' at LSUAG New Iberia Research Station
• Consider funding to hire a legislative representative
• Treasury report includes LOTF financial report and oyster tag sales
• Committee reports from Public and Private Oyster Grounds, Enforcement, Legislative, Legal, Research, Coastal Restoration, Marketing, Health, and Aquaculture

The task force approved funding for a legislative representative and a new non-voting seat for the Department of Ag and Forestry. Members also voted to support legislation allowing mechanical dredges in Calcasieu Lake. The board approved the treasury report showing a remaining fund balance of $536,194.

• Approved funding up to $20,000 to hire a legislative representative
• Approved adding a non-voting seat for a Department of Ag and Forestry representative
• Approved support for legislation allowing mechanical dredges in Calcasieu Lake
• Approved treasury report with $536,194 fund balance
• Approved February 18, 2025 meeting minutes
• Approved March 19, 2025 meeting agenda

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force will meet to receive updates on the oyster lease moratorium and equipment grant program. The body will also consider funding for a marketing campaign, a legislative representative, and administrative expenses.

• Update on the Oyster Lease Moratorium Lifting
• Update on the Equipment Grant Program
• Funding for a WWLTV/Tegna Marketing Campaign
• Funding to hire a Legislative Representative
• Proposal to add a representative from the LA Department of Ag and Forestry to the Task Force

The Task Force voted to request that LDH and LDWF split Area 3 into separate sections to avoid broad closures during recalls. Members also approved funding for marketing, event costs, and a request for licensing data analysis.

• Approved request for LDH and LDWF to split Area 3 into separate areas
• Approved $10,000 for WWLTV Super Bowl campaign
• Approved $2,437.01 reimbursement to Mitch Jurisich for invitation printing and mailing
• Approved $52.54 for signage and $325.00 for oysters for Super Bowl event
• Approved request for LDWF licensing section to provide data analysis on training mandate impact
• Approved moving forward with legislation to add a LA Department of Ag and Forestry representative seat
• Approved purchase of two royal blue tablecloths with silver OTF logo
• Approved Treasury Report with fund balance of $530,589

Oyster Task Force

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force is meeting to hear an oyster season update from LDWF, discuss the oyster harvesters license and required training, and consider funding to hire a legislative representative. Officer elections are also on the agenda. The meeting will include committee reports on public/private grounds, enforcement, legislation, research, coastal restoration, marketing, health, and aquaculture.

• Oyster season update from LDWF
• Discussion of oyster harvesters license and required training
• Consideration of funding to hire a legislative representative
• Officer elections for the Oyster Task Force
• Update on the Let the World Be Your Oyster event

The task force elected Mitch Jurisich as chairman and Peter Vujnovich as vice-chair. Members approved funding for a digital media campaign and agreed to support letters for two aquaculture research proposals. The board also referred a discussion on harvester license training requirements to the Legislative Committee.

• Elected Mitch Jurisich as chairman and Peter Vujnovich as vice-chair
• Approved up to $3,500 for January digital media campaign for D.C. Mardi Gras events
• Approved letters of support for two Dr. Elizabeth Robinson aquaculture proposals
• Approved treasury report showing $548,237 fund balance
• Referred oyster harvester license training requirement discussion to Legislative Committee
• Approved November 19, 2024 meeting minutes
• Appointed Brad Robin as Legislative Committee chairman
• Approved support for funding a legislative representative (pending BA-7 process)