The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-02-17
States Oyster Industry.

ural oyster beds of the state, which
supply the seed--'for- the cultivated or
planted beds, has been before the legis-
lature for years past, and it seems that
it is as yet far from solution that is
satisfactory to those engaged in the
business of oyster raising.
Fishing for oysters has been profit
able industry since early territorial
days in some of the waters OF the state
of Washington. the succulent, phos-
phorescent and highly toothsome
Olympia bivalve, once the subject OF
scorn by newcomers from the East in
the cities of the state, has SO far grown
in popularity and esteem that guam
titles of them are shipped to Montana,
Idaho and to California and Oregan
every year. The result has been that
the industry has steadily grown dur
ing the past decade, until now the
question of a permanent and continued
supply has become most serious one
and which calls for the best thought
of oyster experts, in the opinion of the
oystermen of the state.
The three bills that have been intro
duced by Mr.. Maxwell are H. B. Nos.
23S, 242 and 243. Of these perhaps
H. B. 242 is the most important. It
abolishes the present county boards of
oyster commissioners and intrusts to
the fish commissioner the work of car
ing for and protecting the natural oys-
ter beds of the state and of generally
prom citing the oyster industry.
This bill is intended to apply more
particularly to conditions at Willapa
harbor has been prosecuted for thirty
five years and over. The oystermen
of the harbor complain of the opera
ton of the present system in that dis
trict, and there appears to be reason
for it. Of the 1900 acres of cultivated
beds on the harbor, less than $50 acres
are, according to Fish Commissioner
Little, self-sustaining in the matter of
seed supply. The natural oyster beds
of the harbor, and this applies equal
ly we'll to other portions of the state,
have been neglected, IN the opinion OF
oystermen, until the time has come
when, if the industry is to thrive in
the future, radical measures must be
taken to preserve the natural sources
of supply.
Under the Maxwell bill it is pro-
posed to allow the fish commissioner
to regulate the taking of oysters from
the states natural beds. He will be
empowered to reserve certain beds
from use for period or until they can
recuperate from the drains made on
them. He will be- charged with the
duty Of protecting the natural beds
from the ravages of starfish and other
pests and will pass upon the applica
tons for the purchase or lease of oys-
ter lands.
Another important provision of the
bill applies to the revenues that are
now derived from the oyster industry.
These funds are to be taken from the
fish fund and set aside for the purpose
of promoting the propagation of oys-
ters and protecting the natural beds oil
the state.
The present close season for taking
oysters from the natural beds is seven
and half months, or from October 81
to June Is. H. B. 243, which is also
in the hands of the fish committee
and which will probably be reported
this week, provides that it shall be un.
lawful to take oysters from the natural
repositories except between March Is
and June 10, or three months in all
This measure will, it is believed, tend
to restore the natural beds to theil
former condition and allow nature te
repair the havoc wrought in certain
localities by too frequent fishing ovel
the same grounds.
| The natural oyster beds of the state
are located principally in Hoods canal
Norths bay, Samish bay and Willaps
harbor. At the harbor and in Samisf
bay it is proposed to establish oyster
experimental stations and for this pur
pose Senator Megler has introduced /.
bill in the senate. which has passed
appropriating 81 800. The fish com
missioner will establish these stations
and has already received assurances O
friendly cooperation and assistanc,
from the national fish commission.
!. The total product of oysters an,
shellfish from the waters of TIE stat
for the past year was nearly $500, OOC
-P.-I.