EXHIBIT 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 and related prospectus) of The Meridian
Resource Corporation for the registration of The Meridian Resource Corporation
debt securities, preferred stock, and common stock, to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004, and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated April 8, 2003, except for Note 4, as to
which the date is April 15, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of The Meridian Resource Corporation as of December 31, 2002 and for
each of the two years in the period then ended, included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Houston, Texas
June 3, 2004