Three Nicholls biologists are studying the impact of the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion Project on oyster populations in Barataria Bay, with the help of a donation from BP Exploration and Production of Houston, Texas.The $50,000 research grant is funding three separate projects.

The first, led by Dr. Earl Melancon Jr., examines the first-year shifts in location for optimum oyster cultivation and harvesting.

Dr. Thomas M. Soniat is investigating the design of oyster reefs to reduce predation on young oysters as the populations shift more seaward.

In a third project, Dr. Ramaraj Boopathy is studying the impact of the diversion project on the microbial water quality and the mortality of oysters.

“BP recognizes the importance of the oyster industry to Louisiana, both in terms of the economic and cultural impact of this industry,” said Jerry Wenzel, vice president of BP’s Mardi Gras Transportation system.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to partner with Nicholls in a way that allows this institution to bring its well known expertise in the area of marine biology to bear for the benefit of the oyster industry and the region.

“This is the type of partnership BP finds most satisfying,” Melancon said.

“Louisiana is the nation’s leader in the production of oysters, with the Barataria estuary contributing a significant part to the state’s fishery. “The Louisiana oyster industry has a long history of maintaining high levels of production by adapting to environmental changes, especially to changes in salinity.

“We at Nicholls want to help with that adjustment to preserve the industry and the coastal wetlands.”

Freshwater and sediments from Davis Pond, located at the head of the Barataria Basin, are being diverted to the bay to prevent high salinity water from the Gulf of Mexico from moving further inland and to reduce marsh soil erosion.

The high salinity levels are known to be deadly to freshwater wetlands.

Melancon said he fully expects the Davis Pond Project to change the physical and chemical composition of the aquatic system on its diversion path.

“With a decrease in salinity in the bay, the optimum zone for oyster production will be moved down-estuary.

“An influx of freshwater may also change the composition of the microbial community and shift the areas open to harvest,” Melancon explained.