Louisiana Oyster Management In The Wake Of Major Hurricanes Patrick D. Banks Marine Fisheries Biologist Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

OVERVIEW Recent History of Storms Step-Wise Response 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

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: Sediment and vegetative overburden Hypoxic and/or anoxic conditions Low salinity from freshwater runoff Salinity shock from storm surge?

STEP-WISE RESPONSE Fisheries independent biological monitoring Post-storm biological sampling Data analysis Report preparation Walk The Hill Develop and submit disaster grant proposal Prepare plans for rehabilitation activities Execute oyster resource rehabilitation Perform biological monitoring 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 $13M – private leases Private lease program $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

OTHER MANAGEMENT ACTIONS For Public Oyster Areas Adjust oyster season framework Develop harvest area limitations May set harvest levels Other protection activities

IN SUMMARY Long history of major storms Strong history of stable landings Long history of major storms Rehabilitation begins quickly Multiple management tools utilized to assist with rehabilitation

pbanks@wlf.louisiana.gov 225.765.2370 QUESTIONS? Patrick Banks pbanks@wlf.louisiana.gov 225.765.2370