EXHIBIT 99.1


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Meridian Resource
Corporation (the "Company") for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Form 10-Q"), I,
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.       The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.       The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.

         Date:    May 15, 2003

                                          /s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
                                          Chief Executive Officer