156 



MARINE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



TABLE 3 

 Oyster Production, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, 1940 and 1945 



* Edible meats, exclusive of shells. 

 t Yield from private grounds only. 

 I Yield from public grounds only. 



since, but from many indications the changes would not be expected to be 

 very great. 



The oyster resources and industry of the State have been in more or less 

 a static condition and present a problem peculiar to the area. When the 

 industry of the State first became of recognized importance, the oysters 

 were marketed through branch houses established in the area by Ches- 

 apeake dealers and canneries. These oysters were shipped to the Chesapeake 

 area and sold chiefly through the Baltimore market as "Chesapeake 

 oysters" (Grave, 1904). Although this procedure undoubtedly benefited the 

 area economically at the time, it is perhaps unfortunate that this develop- 

 ment occurred, for it has kept the North Carolina oyster from standing on 

 its own merits. The bulk of the oysters produced at present continue to be 

 marketed through the Chesapeake dealers. 



The industry in North Carolina is virtually a free fishery and a seasonal 

 occupation. There are few individuals that are wholly dependent upon 

 oystering for their livelihood. This has a marked effect upon oyster produc- 

 tion, for the individuals engaged in oystering depend upon fishing, shrimp- 

 ing, clamming, crabbing, and farming for their income. Although the oyster 

 season comes when the other activities are temporarily curtailed by weather 



