Environmental Atlas of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin

Environmental Status and Trends - Status and Trends of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin

• Environmental Status and Trends
• Pleistocene Terraces Region
• Marginal Deltaic Basin Region
• Mississippi River Deltaic Plain Region
  • Central Wetland Area
  • South Lake Borgne Area
  • Lake Borgne Area
  • St. Bernard Wetland Area
  • Breton-Chandeleur Sound Area
  • Chandeleur Islands Area
  • Plaquemines Wetland Area
  • Birdfoot Delta Area

The Breton-Chandeleur Sound Area (BCSA) is a large, shallow marine bay protected by the Chandeleur Islands (Figures 1 and 14). Presently it is more than 500,000 acres in size, but as the mainland marshes and Chandeleur Islands continue to erode, the Breton and Chandeleur Sounds will enlarge.

This protected expanse of shallow water is rich in biological resources and contains productive beds of SAV. Commercially important estuarine and marine species such as red drum, spotted seatrout, Gulf menhaden, brown shrimp and white shrimp are found in the Breton-Chandeleur Sound. The Sound is a popular destination for recreational fishing. Federally listed endangered species found in the Sound include the Gulf sturgeon and the loggerhead and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. The threatened brown pelican can also be commonly found throughout this area. Most fish and shellfish populations are projected to continue a steady population through 2050, as are most bird populations in the area (see Tables 2, 3 and 4). The exception is the brown pelican, which is expected to continue its trend of increasing populations in the Sound, close to a major nesting area.