XIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



DIVISION OF INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES. 



The most valuable of the fishery resources of the country, the oyster, 

 has beeu the subject of a number of special investigations. Pursuant 

 to a request from the legislature, governor, and citizens of Louisiana, 

 Lieut. Franklin Swift, U. S. N., was directed to proceed with the steamer 

 Fish Hawh to make a survey of tlie oyster-grounds of that State, in 

 order to furnish accurate information on which to base a revision of the 

 oyster laws, with a view to putting the oyster industry on a more sub- 

 stantial footing. The vessel reached Mississippi Sound on January 31, 

 and confined her work to the oyster-beds of St. Bernard Parish. While 

 there was not sufficient time to complete the survey of all the oyster- 

 grounds of the State, Dr. H. F. Moore, who took part in the investiga- 

 tion as zoologist, made an examination of them. It was found that the 

 fishing methods pursued have been very injurious, in some instances 

 resulting in the practical destruction of the oysters, and that with the 

 adoption of improved methods and proper restrictions the oyster-plant- 

 ing industry might be greatly extended. The report of Dr. Moore has 

 been transmitted to the governor of Louisiana. 



The prevalence of green oysters in the Chesapeake region and else- 

 where having proved very serious, financially, to the oyster-growers, 

 has received the prompt attention of the Commission. It is the general 

 opinion among oyster-consumers that green oysters derive their color 

 from copper, with which they have been contaminated, and are there- 

 fore unwholesome. This belief results in large losses to oystermen, 

 who are prevented from marketing the crop when the greenness is 

 marked. It has been demonstrated repeatedly and announced by the 

 Commission that the green oysters owe their color to vegetable matter 

 which serves as food, and that no impairment in the food value of the 

 oyster results from this condition. The announcement in the press of 

 the discovery of copper in considerable quantities in English oysters 

 led the Commission to make a reexamination of the subject with the 

 result that previous tests were confirmed. 



Experiments in fattening oysters for the market have been con- 

 ducted at Lynnhaven, Va., where the Commission has constructed 

 special ponds for the purpose. 



The desire of the Commission to give the people of the Pacific coast 

 a plentiful supply of eastern oysters has resulted in the shipment of a 

 number of carloads to suitable points in California and Oregon, the 

 plants being guarded by the local authorities during the time required 

 for their acclimatization and propagation. In order to determine the 

 condition of the introduced oysters, the Commission detailed Professor 

 Washburn, of Oregon University, to visit and report on the beds. The 

 observations, extending over the years 1897 and 1898, show that all the 

 planted oysters have survived and grown, although there are as yet no 

 evidences of an increase in numbers. 



A canvass of the sponge fisheries of Florida was made in 1896, and 

 to determine the relative conditions of this industry ai second incpiiry 



