The Rise And Decline Of The Olympia Oyster 



together with a method of minimizing the effect of vary- 

 ing natural water color. 



7. Employing this method of analysis a comprehensive 

 study of the waters of the region was made during the 

 period of mill closure. The data gathered will make pos- 

 sible accurate determinations of very low concentrations 

 of S. W. L. if present in the future. 



8. It is recommended that no S. W. L. be permitted in 

 Olympia oyster waters since the hypothetical threshold 

 of tolerance lies between concentrations of zero to 13.0 

 parts per million. 



9. Provided this pollutant can be kept from the waters 

 of southern Puget Sound, the native industry should- 

 with proper management practice—recover and yield 

 considerable greater annual harvests of oysters than has 

 been possible during the past twenty years." (1) 



As this is written, Olympia Oyster production has 

 declined to an all time low. It is estimated that 1957 pro- 

 duction will be less than 1 ,300 bushels with practically no 

 production possible in 1958. 



The Washington State Pollution Commission is re- 

 porting sulphite liquor concentrations over Olympia 

 Oyster beds and in practically all the waters of lower 

 Puget Sound. These concentrations are correlated direct- 

 ly with the operation of the Shelton pulp mill. Unless 

 firm decisive action is taken by responsible state author- 

 ities within the next few months, the Olympia Oyster 

 v/ill go on down to virtually complete extinction and an- 

 other of our great natural resources will be lost for all 

 time to come. 



(V Washington State Fisheries Bulletin No. 49-A 



(128) THE END. 



