10 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



of Nye Beach and those about the base of Yaquina Head. They 

 are also common on Seal Rocks 10 miles to the south of Yaquina Bay. 

 Two species of mussels are found in this region, Mytilus edulis and 

 Mytilus calif ornlanus. 



Formerly the razor clam, Siliqua patula^ was very abundant in 

 the ocean beaches of the Yaquina region. As late as 1014 and lOl-") 

 large quantities of this clam were obtainable both north and south 

 of the bay. No very satisfactory reason can be given for the rather 

 sudden disappearance of the clam south of the Clatsop County 

 beaches. After careful observation of the beaches formerly popu- 

 lated by the razor clam in this region and elsewhere the author is 

 inclined to the opinion that the shifting of the sand has been a 

 large factor in the disappearance of the clams either by smothering 

 them or by washing them out into deeper water. A great many of 

 the clams have been destroyed in the past few years as is evidenced 

 by the quantities of shells that are cast up on the beaches. If they 

 have been washed out into deeper water there is a possibility that 

 they may return by inshore migrations. It was gratifying to find 

 during the summer of 1919 that the razor clam was apparently 

 coming back at a number of points along the Oregon coast, as will 

 be noted in a later section. 



The Yaquina River is the center of the oyster industry in Oregon. 

 The most productive areas are about 1 mile above the town of 

 Yaquina near Oysterville. They include both natural and private 

 beds. The natural beds are under the control of the State Fish 

 and Game Commission which prescribes rules and regulations for 

 the protection of the beds and for the taking of the oysters. The 

 closed season as to natural beds has been fixed by statute, being from 

 the 15th day of Jime to the 10th day of September of each year.* 



Certain areas are set apart and designated by law as beds for the 

 artificial planting of oysters. Such beds are limited in size, not 

 to exceed 2 acres in each plantation, and each holder of a claim is 

 required to comply with local regulations fixed by the association of 

 oystermen.^ 



Since the beds are, for the most part, located in the channel of 

 the river, in 1917 the fishermen on the artificial plantations were 

 having considerable difficulty, as had been the case in previous years, 

 in preventing the oysters from being smothered by the sediment 

 carried down the river. Frequent tonging was resorted to to keep 

 the silt moving. Little or no artificial methods were resorted to in 

 order to catch the spat. The old shells were considered, by those 

 engaged in the industry, as sufficient cultch with the occasional help 

 of the bark of trees. 



In spite of the fact that the Yaquina oyster fishermen have cer- 

 tain natural difficulties to contend with, they made a fair profit 

 during the season of 1916-17. At that time 15 men were engaged 

 in oyster fishing. By working diligently each man was able to 

 take from four to six sacks per week, the standard sack being 110 

 pounds, including shells. During that season the price realized in 

 Portland, where nearly all of the oysters were marketed, was from 

 $G to $8 per sack. This price of the Yaquina oyster was somewhat 



2 Fi.sh and Gamo Laws of Oregon. 1010-20, sec. 187. p. 76. 

 sFish and Game Laws of Oregon, 1019-20, sec. 186, p. 76. 



