The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-02-23
DECREASED OYSTER OUTPUT
CONCERNS HERBERT BONNER

Representative Herbert C. Bon
ner, Chairman Of the House Conn
mittee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries, stated last week that
over the past several years the
COMMITTEES has become increasing
|ly concerned over the decrease in
oyster production, principally along
the East Coast. Mr.. Bonner pointed
out that some years ago the star
fish virtually ruined the very pro-
ductive beds in Long Island Sound
| in New York and Connecticut, and
over the past four years has seen
the oysters in the Delaware and
| Chesapeake Bays virtually wiped
|out. Even so, means have been
found to control the star fish, and
as result production in Long Is
| land Sound is on the increase. The
virus, however, which has resulted
in 80 percent and greater mortality
among Chesapeake and Delaware
Bay oysters, is not yet under con-
troll. So far, scientists have been
able to identify the virus, but have
devised no means of control.
The experts of the Oyster Insti-
tute of America and the Fish
/ and Wildlife Service Of the
Department of the Interior testified
before the Committee that the
present line of endeavor is to prop
agate those oysters from the Della
ware Bay that survive the epidemic
with the expectation that they have
an immunity to the disease. If this
proves to be true, and present ir-
dications are encouraging, the dew
Iastated areas will be reseeded
with the spat obtained by the inn
mune strain. Mr.. Bonner said, "For-
ltunately, there has been no indi-
lcation that the disease is spreading
southwark into the North Carolina
area and the Committee was as
sured that the epidemic appears to
have run its course and is be-
coming less serious"
Mr.. Bonner stated that in the
course of the hearings the plight
of the oyster farmer along the East
Coast was brought out and efforts
were made to determine from the
scientists the reasons for the de-
creased production of oysters over
the years. The partial explanation
of this is the vastly increased use of
agricultural chemicals which find
their way into the streams and
into the waters inhabited by the
oysters.
Another oyster enemy is silt
which is a production of unwise
farming practices.
Still another serious factor in
loyster production decline is the
lpractice of the oyster farmers them
selves who not only have been gull
Ity of over fishing, but have failed
to renew the oyster beds by rede-
post of shell, which is necessary
as a basis for further production.
| AS most North Carolinians know
1.-THE formerly highly productive
loyster beds in Pamlico, Albemarle
land Currituck Sounds and tribu-
taries are now barren, and it would
be most beneficial to the economy
lof North Carolina to restore them
to production.
| Chairman Bonner received as
lsurance from the Fish and Wildlife
Service that studies would be made
to determine the reasons for the
absence of oysters in these areas
land that steps would be taken to
seed them or otherwise restore
them to production.
/ at is expected that this effort
can be made in connection with
the current work of the Depart
ment of the Interior, in which
eevnt we may again enjoy North
Carolina oysters from the beds in
the next few years." the Chairman
said.