IV-479 



Since 1940, there has been a decline in the oyster and fish pro- 

 duction of Great South Bay. These conditions have coincided with 

 the buildup of the duck industry in the areas surrounding Moriches 

 Bay... The wastes from the duck farms effectively fertilized these 

 waters but with a low ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus. 



As a result of the increased nutrients, especially phosphrus, the 

 waters of Great South Bay have exhibited increased algal populations. 

 Heavy growths of algae developed in the early spring and persisted 

 through summer and fall. At its peak, the concentration of algal 

 cells exceeded 10 million/ml. The dominant bloom algae was a small, 

 unicellular species often termed "small form." This algae differed 

 greatly from the flora typical of bays and estuaries in the same 

 region and its persistence over long periods of time eliminated the 

 typical seasonal succession of forms in the bay. 



The decline of the oyster industry was directly correlated with the 

 increase in the "small form." This was due to the fact that the 

 optimum conditions for oyster growth included a mixed algal popul- 

 ation. Although oysters do feed on the "small forms," these algae 

 are an inadequate nutrient source. Serpulid worms which are cap- 

 able of effectively utilizing the "small forms" for food have over- 

 run the oyster beds periodically and thereby adversely affected 

 oyster production by competitive exclusion. 



The report of the Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Board, "The 

 Status and Potential of the Marine Environment," states that "the 



