IV-477 



in 1944, C. F. Jackson estimated a loss of $2 million annually on 

 clams in Great Bay. Thus with no commercial utilization of clams 

 in Great Bay over the last thirty years, a loss can be calculated 

 at $60 million since it is based on a per bushel value of $1.50 and 

 the 1944 price of clams. The current per bushel price of clams in 

 the New England area is nearly $10.00. Thus the loss, dockside, 

 may be nearly seven times greater or nearly $420 million since 1938. 



Oyster production in Great Bay Estuary has also been closed 

 commercially since 1938. A recent survey estimated the total 

 acreage of oyster beds at roughly 25 acres in Great Bay. At a 

 production of 500 bushels per acre, this would result in a loss of 

 12,500 bushels annually. Oysters at $10 per bushel would then 

 bring in $125,000 annually. Over the thirty-year period since 

 harvesting has been closed this loss due to pollution amounts to 

 nearly $4 million. 



All tributaries of Great Bay are dammed. Many of these dams have 

 existed since 1800 and provide a block for fish such as salmon, 

 alewives, and American shad, which need freshwater areas to complete 

 their life cycles. The lost value of such fisheries over the years 

 would run into many millions of dollars to both commercial and, 

 more recently, sport fishermen. It should be pointed out that no 

 definite estimate of this loss has been made but it is definitely 

 measurable. 



