10 10 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



oysters ; whilst the other side are represented by the Royal 

 Sea Fisheries Commission Report of 1866. 



The desirability of keeping oyster-beds clean by 

 dredging is so intimately connected with the general ques- 

 tion as to whether their productiveness is injured in the 

 process, that it is impossible to discuss the matter without 

 going into the controversy fully, and before summing up 

 the evidence, we think it desirable to state briefly both sides 

 of the case as fairly as we can. 



The opponents of over-dredging contend that a close 

 time should be observed, because 



1. Overwhelming evidence is forthcoming in con- 

 demnation of excessive and reckless dredging. 



2. The oyster-beds of Poole, Granville, and Cancale, 

 amongst others, have been totally destroyed by over- 

 dredging. 



3. Several beds in the Channel have been destroyed 

 shortly after discovery, being pounced upon by dredging- 

 boats, who, working with the wind abeam, with their boats 

 almost touching one another, have dredged up nearly every 

 oyster on these beds. 



4. That as on deep-sea beds the oysters lay in streams, 

 any that are by chance left after a visit from the dredging- 

 boats must have been disturbed, and will not afterwards 

 spat productively. 



5. That on the public grounds fishermen invariably 

 throw overboard again the enemies of oysters that are not 

 either eatable or saleable ; thus dog-whelks, cliona, and 

 five-fingers are neither destroyed or brought away from the 

 beds, the undiminished supply of " wolves" being left to 

 prey upon the few " sheep" that remain. 



6. The constant operations of dredging cannot be neces- 

 sary, because extensive layers of oyster-shell, many feet 



