The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has completed the construction of a 200-acre oyster reef in Sister (Caillou) Lake to increase oyster habitat and fisheries production. The construction process, known as cultch planting, is a proven habitat improvement technique used by LDWF.

This project was funded through Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (DWH NRDA) settlement dollars to restore for injuries to oysters that occurred as a result of the spill. The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group approved 26 million dollars in oyster projects, including enhancing oyster recovery using broodstock reefs, cultch-plant oyster restoration, and hatchery-based oyster restoration.

Since 1917, LDWF has placed over 1.5 million cubic yards of cultch material on nearly 30,000 acres with positive results. This most recent project spread approximately 25,500 tons of crushed limestone on the lake bottom to create approximately 200 acres of artificial oyster reef.

When placed in a suitable environment, cultch material provides a firm substrate for free-floating oyster larvae to attach and grow, resulting in a mature, productive oyster reef. In addition to providing habitat for oysters, these reefs serve as a habitat for various marine organisms, from small invertebrates to large recreationally and commercially important species. Furthermore, oyster reefs provide structural integrity, improve water quality, and potentially reduce coastal erosion.

Sister Lake was chosen because it has historically been one of Louisiana's most productive oyster areas. According to the most recent stock assessment, a similar 200-acre oyster reef constructed in 2021 in Sister Lake contained approximately 147,485 sacks of market-sized oysters.

The new cultch plant will open to recreational and commercial oyster harvest when the reef meets the DWH NRDA restoration success criteria of 20 oysters per square meter, which typically takes 1-2 years. LDWF will monitor the reef's performance through regularly scheduled sampling events.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. Sign up to receive LDWF email alerts.