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Louisiana Oyster Management
In The Wake Of Major Hurricanes
Patrick D. BanksMarine Fisheries BiologistLouisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries
OVERVIEW Oyster Landings In Louisiana Recent History of Storms Step-Wise Response Current Plans For Rehabilitation Other Management Actions
Historical Louisiana Oyster Landings
Source: NMFS and LDWF
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2
4
6
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12
70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04
Year
pounds (millions)
Private Public
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RECENT STORMS Hurricane Andrew – August 1992 Tropical Storm Allison – June 2001 Hurricane Lili – Sept/Oct. 2002 Hurricane Ivan – September 2004 Hurricane Katrina – August 2005 Hurricane Rita – September 2005
In general, heavy oyster mortalities associated with:1. Sediment and vegetative overburden2. Hypoxic and/or anoxic conditions3. Low salinity from freshwater runoff4. Salinity shock from storm surge?
STEP-WISE RESPONSE
1. Fisheries independent biological monitoring2. Post-storm biological sampling3. Data analysis4. Report preparation5. Walk The Hill6. Develop and submit disaster grant proposal7. Prepare plans for rehabilitation activities8. Execute oyster resource rehabilitation9. Perform biological monitoring10. Document rehabilitation
CULTCH DEPOSITION GOAL: Provide suitable substrate for larval
attachment and growth Important habitat management tool Cultch material
• Clam shell• Crushed oyster shell• Limestone• Crushed concrete
Began in 1919• Over 1.4 million yd3
• Nearly 30,000 acres• Most recent – Summer 2004
REHABILITATION PLANS
$23M earmarked for oyster rehabilitation• $13M – private leases• $10M – public grounds
Private lease program• Sediment and debris removal• Cultch planting• Transplanting seed oysters• Relaying oysters from closed to open areas
Public ground rehabilitation• Water bottom mapping• Cultch planting
OTHER MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
Adjust oyster season framework Develop harvest area limitations May set harvest levels Other protection activities
For Public Oyster Areas
IN SUMMARY Strong history of stable landings Long history of major storms Rehabilitation begins quickly Multiple management tools utilized to assist with rehabilitation
