BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 109 

 CONDITION OF OYSTEE CULTURE AND DANGERS THREATENING IT. 



Kot onl3' does the new industry place a great quantity of mollusks 

 on the home market, but it also exports a considerable number. Thus, 

 in the last year, the French oyster-culturists sent to London twenty- 

 eight millions of oysters. Belgium, likewise, receives several million 

 annually. However, I am convinced that oyster-culture could attain 

 a much greater development if it could be protected from certain dan- 

 gers tbat menace it, some of which, at least, are really grave. Permit 

 lue then to show you these dangers and the means which, in my opinion, 

 should be put in operation to combat them. I have already had occa- 

 sion to describe to you the rapid decadence of the natural beds. That 

 is, without contradiction, the most formidable danger which threatens 

 the oyster-cultural industry. It is important, then, to search for the 

 causes to which should be attributed this state of decay. 



Two principal facts can be appealed to. It is necessary first to cite 

 the pillage of the beds, which is carried on incessantly. The thefts are 

 committed in open day. The plunderers not only attack the reserved 

 beds, but have even been seen to install themselves on parks belonging 

 to particular persons, break the nursing boxes [caisses, i. e., causes ostre- 

 ophilcs — nursing boxes, or cages], and carry off the contents. The em- 

 ployes of the navy, notwithstanding their good will and devotion, are 

 not in a condition to oppose the depredations of these hardy robbers. 

 In fact, the means which the maritime authorities have at their disposal 

 do not i)ermit them, under most circumstances, to follow and appre- 

 hend the robbers. Pirates of this kind, provided with rapid boats, 

 knowing admirably the ground on which they operate, and always taking 

 advantage of foul weather, are nsually very difiliculc to arrest. Coast- 

 guards cannot work with effectiveness except Avhen they can have steam 

 launches at their disposal. This means, already recommended by Mr. 

 Senator Eobiu, appears to me the only one which can assure a serious 

 surveillance. But this is not all. When, by a happy circumstance, the 

 robber has been captured, the punishment which awaits him is really 

 ludicrous. One may see a man who in a few hours has stolen oysters 

 worth 200 or 300 francs, condemned to pay a fine of five francs! 



Another quite important cause of the decrease of the natural beds is 

 their too frequent dredging. We know that to arrive at marketable 

 size the oyster needs a time which may be estimated at two or three 

 years. On certain portions of our coast, and notably in the rivers of 

 Auray, the dredging takes place every year. The fishermen are rec- 

 ommended, it is true, to throw back into the sea the oysters which are 

 too small; but who cannot see that this recommendation has no effect? 

 jSTecessarily, then, dredgiug should not be allowed on the same bed 

 more than once in two or three years. Such is the practice adopted at 

 Arcachon, and I have had occasion to say that its results are excellent. 



Another cause which opposes the development of oyster-culture, in 



