CXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



As is well known, transplanted eastern oysters have been successfully 

 grown in iSan Francisco Bay for many years.* In October, 1894, 80 

 barrels of oysters, from New York, New Jersey, and Chesapeake Bay, 

 weie planted by the Commission in Willapa Bay, Washington ;t and in 

 November, 1896, 25 barrels of 3-year-old and 4-year-old oysters from 

 Princess Bay and East Kiver, New York, were deposited in Humboldt 

 Bay, California, and an equal quantity in Yaquiua Bay, Oregon. 



In Yaquiua Bay the oysters were deposited on Oysterville Flat, 2 

 miles above Yaquiua City and about 7 miles from the ocean, and were 

 spread over an area of about half an acre, the bottom consisting of mud 

 and shells. The flat is a natural bed of the native oyster ( Ostrea lurida) 

 but has been so closely worked that oystering is no longer profitable; 

 at low tide it is covered with 10 feet of water and at high tide with 18 

 to 20 feet. During the spring and summer of 1897 Prof. F. L. Wash- 

 burn of the State University at Eugene, Oreg., was engaged by the 

 Commission to examine the beds of eastern oysters that had been 

 planted in Yaquiua Bay in the i^revious year, and also to study the 

 physical conditions of other bodies of water on the Oregon coast with 

 reference to the introduction of the Atlantic oyster. His observations 

 showed that the transplanted oysters exhibited considerable growth, 

 and were in a spawning state. Many million eggs were artificially fer- 

 tilized and the embryos released in the waters of the bay. 



No spat of the eastern oyster was discovered up to the close of the 

 season's inquiries on September 12, but an abundant " set" of the native 

 oyster was observed on the shells of the introduced species. Sufticient 

 time has not yet elapsed to demonstiate whether the waters are adapted 

 to the multiplication of the Atlantic oyster, and three or four years 

 might be required in order to definitely settle the matter. The most 

 serious condition to which the spat would be subjected seems to be the 

 sudden and marked variation in the salinity of the water, owing to 

 changes in the tide, strong winds from the ocean, and heavy rainfall. 



Examinations of some other bays on the Oregon coast with reference 

 to their suitability for eastern oysters showed that Coos Bay was too 

 salty for successful growth except near Marshfield, where the oysters 

 might suffer from freshets and sewage; that Tillamook Bay was very 

 salt and cold except at its extreme head, where mud and fresh water 

 would kill the oysters during winter; and that the water of Netarts 

 Bay was too dense. 



An examination of the waters at Gearhart Park, on the ocean adjacent 

 to Astoria, at the request of Mr. M. J. Kinney, the well-known salmon- 

 canner, disclosed no localities in which oyster-culture is feasible. 



It is proposed to have Professor Washburn continue his observations 

 on the planted oysters in Yaquina Bay during the fiscal year 1898-99. 



*' See "Report of observations respecting tlie oyster resources and oyster fishery 

 of the I'acific coast of the United States." By C. H. Townsend. Report U. S. Fish 

 Commission, 1889-91. 



t "'J'lie transplanting of Eastern oysters to Willapa Bay, with notes on the native 

 oyster industry." By C. H. Townsend. Report U. S. Fisli Commissiou, 1895. 



