The Louisiana state fish is something special.
Dear Capt. Paul:
Where is Breton Island?
Thanks,
Tom Hodges
Capt. Paul’s response:
Breton Island is located in the Breton Sound area between the Main Pass of the Mississippi River and the old Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. It is about 7.9 miles at a bearing of 0 degrees from the mouth of Main Pass, where the pass flows into Breton Sound. The Breton Islands are part of the Breton Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
At one time, Breton Island extended from West Point on the south to North Point on the north in a banana-shaped island that covered a distance of more than 9 miles. Recent hurricanes and other storms have eroded most of the land masses of the islands, but these formations are now reefs or shoals in the area. For that reason, I suggest that you get a current version of NOAA Marine Chart No. 11363/Chandeleur and Breton Sounds.
Pay attention to the areas around the islands as the water there is shallower than the rest of the sound. The chart shows many shoals and wrecks in the area which can pose a hazard to marine traffic. There are usually wave breakers in easterly weather.
The southernmost of one of the remnants of Breton Island at West Point is located at or about N29 27.849 x W89 12.551.
The northernmost part of the islands is located in the area around the Radio Tower, which is at or about N29 29.729 x W89 10. 483. It was once part of the West Point Island.
The northern part of Breton Island was about 1.7 miles from where MRGO marker Green No. 23 (N29 30. 822 x W89 09.287) was located alongside the MRGO at a bearing of 229 degrees. These MRGO markers, however, were removed by the Corps of Engineers after the MRGO was closed.
That also puts it about 9.8 miles at a bearing of 239 degrees from the remnants of Grand Gosier Island, which is also part of the Breton Islands NWR.
From the other direction, it is about 18.9 miles from Gardner Island at the Short Rocks, which marked the northern side of the MRGO, at a bearing of 135 degrees.
Unless otherwise specified, all positions are stated as degrees, minutes and thousandths of minutes (DDD,MM.mmm), and were determined using WGS 84 datum. All bearings and courses are stated in magnetic degrees.
