Project name: Oyster Reef Restoration and Shoreline Protection in Vermilion Parish (#5005)
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator: Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Louisiana Wetlands Association
Project location: south shore Vermilion Bay, Louisiana
Grant period: Jan 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021
Grant amount: $67,350
Land Ownership: Public
Lat/Long: N 29.39.991, W 92.08.105
Types of Habitat: oyster reef
Project leader: Wayne Touchet, president
Russell Gaspard, secretary
Louisiana Wetlands Association
505 Eaton Drive
Abbeville, LA 70510
Wayne phone: (337) 652-6155
Russell phone: (337) 893-2381
(337) 893-0182 fax
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
- American oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
- Smooth cordgrass (Spartina patens)
- Speckled seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
This project will restore 2 acres, including shoreline that is part of the state’s oldest wildlife refuge.
Project Summary:
The shoreline area that has been selected for the
oyster-restoration site is located on the southwest
shoreline of Vermilion Bay, along the east border of
the Louisiana State Wildlife Refuge at Lake Fearman.
The location is situated in a cove between Prien Point
and the canal opening in to the Wildlife Refuge.
Because of its physical location, the salinity level
is one of the highest in Vermilion Bay and prevailing
southeast winds tend to hold the high-salinity water
in the cove. The water bottom is smooth and very firm
and would easily sustain a shucked oyster reef
supported by rip-rap, while protecting the shoreline
from severe eroding.
