There are other methods, however. Patent tongs are similar to the metal part of hand tongs, but they are larger. They are hinged so that they open as they are lowered and close as they are lifted. They are attached to a cable instead of wooden handles. A motor raises and lowers them.
Dredges are large scrapers that are also raised and lowered by machine.
Both methods are faster and more efficient than hand tongs. The dredges are especially good at harvesting large numbers of oysters very quickly. But dredges can also harm the oyster bed and prevent the small oysters from growing larger. Because there are fewer and fewer oysters in the Bay and its rivers, this is a concern. To protect the oysters, there are strict laws about when and where oyster dredgers can work.