The Rise And Decline Of The Ol^mpia Oyster 



Although the demand for Olympia Oysters has been 

 so great that the price has gone up to $25 or more per gal- 

 lon, yet the industry has operated at a loss during the 

 past several years. A float load of oysters that formerly 

 would cull out 18 to 20 bushel of good marketable oysters 

 has in recent years only yielded from one to two bushel 

 of poor quality oysters. The load consists principally of 

 shell of dead oysters. Meats of the live oysters are poor. 



The set of seed is very poor. There is no place where 

 seed can be had, as this is the only place in the world 

 where this species grow. The prolific State Reserve beds 

 in Oakland Bay have been entirely destroyed. 



The Fisheries report above referred to, printed in 

 1949, predicted serious trouble ahead. Their careful in- 

 vestigation eliminated by facts therein set out, all other 

 factors than one; Sulfite Pulp Mill Waste. Oyster growers 

 have felt in their hearts that this was true, and have 

 been fighting for better controls of this waste for some 

 twenty-five years. 



In conclusion, I must say that The Olympia Oyster 

 industry is very sick. In fact it is, at this writing, on its 

 death bed, unless the knife that is stabbing at its heart 

 can be removed. Those who love the Olympia Oyster, and 

 who grew it still have hope. In nature there is always 

 survival; no such thing as extermination of species by 

 nature. But trade waste is man-produced poison. There 

 must also be progress in industry. But man has been 

 given intelligence to find ways and means to prevent the 

 trade waste from destroying the natural resources so 

 that all may survive and live together. 



(99) 



