EXHIBIT 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Meridian Resource Corporation
1401 Enclave Parkway Suite 300
Houston, TX 77077

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Files No.
333-86788, No. 333-40009, No. 333-83737, and No. 333-83735) and Form S-3 (Files
No. 333-41940, No. 333-75414, No. 333-89620 and No. 333-116240) of our reports
dated March 10, 2006, relating to the consolidated financial statements and to
the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting
which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                        BDO Seidman, LLP

Houston, Texas
March 14, 2006