Edible Mclhisca of the Orc^^on Coast 199 



the species spawns on the Oregon coast, under the above C()n(h- 

 tions. in the late summer. (Figure \"I. 10. 11. 12). 



Field'' is of the opinion that the spawning- period of iNlytilus 

 edulis on the northern Atlantic coast is determined largely by 

 conditions of weather, specimens inhabiting protected bays spawn- 

 ing much earlier than those more exposed to the colder waters. 



10. Mytilus californicus Conrad. 



Examinations of this species have not been made with suffi- 

 cient regularity throughout the year to determine the spawning- 

 season on the Oregon coast. 



THK OVSTKR situation. 



The western oyster. Ostrea lurida Carpenter, has beconie an 

 important fisheries product of the state of Washington but is 

 somewhat neglected on the Oregon coast. Along the Oregon 

 shores there are no great water areas comparable to the lower 

 Puget Sound. Gray's Harbor and Willapa Bay in Washington 

 which furnish very suitable environments for oyster farming. 

 The general belief that localities on the Oregon coast favorable 

 to the propagation of oysters are very limited has contributed to 

 the lack of development of this phase of the fisheries industr_\-. 

 For many years the Yaquina River has been the only source 

 within the state supplying marketable oysters and the annual yield 

 from these beds is verv small. A report of the U. S. Bureau of 

 Fisheries'' places the total market value of oysters from the 

 Yaquina River for the year 191 5 at $725.00. Statistics for more 

 recent years, if the}- were available, would doubtless show a 

 material increase in the output and steps have been taken by the 

 State Fish and Game Commission looking toward further improve- 

 n-ients of conditions in the Yaquina River beneficial to the oyster 

 industr}-. 



The beds are located near the town of Oysterville (Figure 2) 

 and lie, for the most part, in the channel of the river. Much 

 eroded sediment is carried down the river resulting in the neces- 

 sity of frequent tonging of the beds to prevent the oysters froni 



** See footnote page 16. 

 ' See footnote pajre 4. 



[ 2,^ 1 



