Evening star., 1954-11-27
Oyster Program No Secret

4ue rec3uC feature aTtlcle IN Inc
Star on the Solomons Island Laboratory,
contains certain misstatements and
Misrepresentation of the laboratory's
program Of oyster research. It was un-
fortunate that ] and the other two
members Of our personnel who are re-
sponsible for shellfish studies were away
on field work at the time George Ken
nedy visited Solomons for he apparently
was misinformed by some one un-
familiar with our oyster work or drew
conclusions from only partial informa-
tion based on limited excerpts taken
from publication on Maryland's
commercial fisheries.
The laboratory has no secret for
mula for the return of big oyster crops
but recognizes that this return can
be made through long and painstak-
ing program Of effective use of in
creased amounts of shell in areas where
sufficient "set" attachment to shel)
of young oysters can be received. the
transplanting of seed to good growing
areas where natural set is insufficient,
and the protection from overfishing on
those natural rocks that are of self
sustaining nature. Practically every
one in the oyster industry is aware of
this secret" In such program your
so-called lone watermen" have very
important and useful place along with
the private planter, the wise admins
TRAITOR, and the scientist studying the
life cycle of the oyster and factors
which affect its well being.
A goal of 40 million bushels year
is thought to be eventually attainable
but even the most ardent supporters of
liberalized policies toward leasing do
not suggest that productive public
rocks be turned over to private interests.
The laboratory certainly does not sup
port in any manner such proposal.
Substantial acreages OF public oyster
rocks in Maryland are so favorably
located that they continue to be re-
populated by natural setting so long
as harvesting (typically by tonging)
permits sufficient brood oysters to re-
main, and enforcement of the Gull law
results in all underSized oysters and
empty shells being returned to the rock.
Most Of Maryland's present production
comes from such beds where the costs
of sustained yields are only those of
law enforcement and occasional re-
plenishment of shell on such bars as
indicate need for more cultch.
A relatively small acreage Of barren
or naturally unproductive bottom has
been leased under Maryland law to
private planters. Such bottoms may be
improved physically by shelling and
may be planted with seed oysters at
considerable expense to the lessee.
When crops are harvested new ones are
planted. In many instances such bot
toms are producing at higher rate
than most natural rocks simply through
continued expenditure of large amounts
of capital.
The skill Of the public waterman
and his aroused interest In the re-
tention of small oysters and shell on
self sustaining bars has stabilized
and in some cases increased yields from
such areas. Private planters are pro-
ducing good crops of oysters on bottoms
where natural production was lacking
or negligible. The great decline in
Maryland production has been upon
those extensive areas of bottom where
natural oysters accumulated over the
centuries but where native reproduction
failed to replace oysters as fast as
they were harvested. A greatly ex-
panded and continued planting pro-
gram on such bottoms is necessary in
order for oyster production to increase.
Physical deterioration of barren oyster
beds through siltation and other causes
is serious condition. The part which
public and private capital should play
in developing barren and depleted bot
tom is one which has caused much
bitter debate and which must be solved
by the men IN the oyster industry itself.
G. Francis Beaven,
Biologist, Shellfish Investigations,
Maryland State Department of
Research and Education.