New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-11
SOUND FISHERMEN UNHAPPY.
sHAD AND OYSTER CATCHES DECREASING
THE sTARFrsH THE OYSTERS CHIEF ENEMY,
BATTLE IN SHALLOW WATER.

BATTLE IN SHALLOW WATER.
Norwich, Conn, Aug. 10 (SpeclaD -Connecticut's
fishing industry Is tagging and the followers OF this
profitable business becoming considerably ex-
erciSed. The figures for tho last five years tell the
story. In 1885 the total catch OF shad 100 300
in 1886, III $50: in 1897 s3.15O in 1881 81 $50 in
1850, 1925. After deliberate consideration the Fish
commissioners have expounded theory why this
should be So but It IS a theory that Is not meeting
with universal acceptance. They advance causes
for this remarkable decrease First, the new break
water at the mouth OF the Connecticut River, which
turns the fish of into Eastern waters, aud, secondly,
the impure water in the Connecticut caused by the
sewage and refuse from Hartford Springfield. HolyOSe
and the manufacturing centres at South Iadley Falls
Thomps0nve and Windsor Locks. But the con-
taminated condition OF the river is made the paramount
by the Commissioners.
oyster farmers, too experiencing their usual
trouble with the starfsh. A starfsh IS unique
instrument Of destruction The body IS depressed and
divided into rays like star; the upper surface IS
studded with rough knobs, between which are the
openings Of many minute tubes for the passage Of
water in and ont Of the body on the external edges
OF the rays stiff splnes which protectors
and at the end of each ray IS small reddish eye
speck. The mouth opens in the stomach cavity 1t
Is very flexible and will admit large mollusks with the
SHE'LL the hard parts being elected after the soft por
lions are digested. Norwich picked up a
beautiful specimen at Watch Hill few days ago. but
It lacked that sponge like elasticity for which they
are noted lie tipped up the stomach and out tumbed
big clam she'll and all, measuring four inches In
diameter The fish measured but five. But the most
ccullar thing about the starflsh is its great power
OF regeneration Of lost parts. If one of the arms or
rays becomes broken of the fish will grow another;
II four Of the FIVE lost II will live to reproduce
them all but II the five meet with destruction the
fish dies.
These walking siomachs drift lelsurey along the
shore devourng all the accumulated garbage, but
always pointed for one particular spot-an oyster bed
Armed with natural saw and syringe they march
upon the bivalves cut small opening in the she'll
and inject fluid which Supplies the oyster and renders
It an easy prey When they arrive destruction
IS swift and hundreds of Of oysters are destroyed
before their presence IS discovered
Young stars live on jngles' until they are able TO
cope with an oyster. These are small shells, about
the size Of mans thumb, which are planted by Oys-
termen for oyster spat, seed. to adhere 20, ana TO
lose them means the loss of a seasons crop At six
months a starfsh is big enough to tackle an oyster.
The advancement. from Jlnges" TO healthy bivalves is
always characterized by fight Old farmers say.
Many are the battles ihat they have witnessed In
shallow water when the sea was smooth aud the
wafer clear. The young starflsh lacks experience
and tie oysters make f. rather uncomfortable for them
by catching .her rays between the shells and pinching
them of.
one old fisherman tells OF a fight between a Dig
oyster and little fish which he last season. 1t
was a fight TO a nlsh,7 and one :he like of which
he never saw before. The young starfsh approached
ihe open oyster and slowly settled down upon II.
The shell sprsng together with snap and .he fish.
which had settled upon II with five rays. bObbed sud
denly up with only four. The oyster again dropped
his blinds and awaited second attack lie didn't
have To wait long. Slowly the fish began TO drop
until he again a-stradde OF the oyster. when a
repetition OF the former round occurred. and he now
had three rays instead of five Three times more this
scene was enacted and then she fish keeed over dead
This army OF oyster pirates has arrived In Con
nectcut waters and tho Sound oysternen In the VI
clnIty of stamford bemOaning their fate. They
have come a million strong and saving away at
a terrific rate But .he battle is not oneSlded affair
bv any means. Dredges busily at work raising
both the starfsh and the oysters The former are put
INTO barrels and killed by steam, while the oysters
are replaned When life has been boiled out of The
fish they are shOvelled back into the sea for other
epccIes Of the wet world TO feed upon.
but this method OF destroying the destroyer Is not
a satisfactory one; II is altogether too slow. Every
oyster farmer holds HIS Views OF how the dread enemy
can be extermnsted. but .hey prove mpracticable
some have thought that poison could be put into the
water which would destroy che sarhsh. but tho IN
ventors Of this prOdlgous thought have not yet in
vented specific article that Will not Eli every. thing
else also. There is a fortune awaiting the man who
solves the riddle and every dealer along the COnnect
cut coas. Is engaged In Thought.