55 



heavy raiu occurs. While these freshets may never be of sufH- 

 cient severity to involve a large area, they will exclude oyster 

 raising from the areas near the outlets of the canals, and when 

 the cauals become numerous, they might involve much other- 

 wise available bottom within the limits of their intlueuce. It is 

 also very noticeable, in the oyster-producing section of this 

 parish, that any changes in the drainage resulting from the cut- 

 ting of even small canals or passages may bring about results 

 entirely unexpected, both in kind and in magnitude. The inter- 

 est of those engaged in the oyster industry demands that all canal 

 projects be subject to expert scrutiny by some one conversant 

 with the present drainage conditions, and that, in so far as pos- 

 sible, the outlets of the drainage systems should be put where 

 the least damage to the oyster industry can result. 



CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 



• The oyster industry of Terrebonne Parish, as well as that 

 of the State as a whole, has now reached a stage when it is very 

 evident to every one with a personal knowledge of the existing 

 conditions that the dependence on the supply from the natural 

 reefs must be given up. A comparison with the conditions ten 

 years ago in the section under consideration shows that where 

 at that time important natural reefs existed, at present no liv- 

 ing oysters are to be found, and, in so far as tlic data compiled 

 at that time are explicit as regards abundance, there is found to 

 be a marked decrease in the supply at present on all of the reefs. 

 The men most acquainted with the past and present eonditions 

 give estimates varying from five to ten years as the possible 

 length of time it will require to totally destroy the natural 

 reefs at the present rate of fishing, and an unprejudiced study 

 cf the available data makes it appear that the longer period is 

 well within the probable limit. In this connection it may be 

 pointed out that the taking of seed is much more destructive 

 to the natural reefs than is the taking of oysters for the market, 

 as in the latter case only those above moderate size will be car- 

 ried away, and the eullings will be returned to the reef to in- 

 crease in size or to serve for the attachment of spat as the case 

 may be. On the other hand as the practice of taking seed is 

 usually carried on, the culling is much closer in regard to the 



