PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1937 51 



trance to the Cape Cod Canal. Detailed information was supplied to 

 the Engineer's Office as a result of this survey. 



^Sun'ei/ of oyster boffoms in Shinnecock Bay^ Long Island. — At 

 the request of C. E. Dinion, secretary of the Board of Trustees of 

 the town of Southampton, Long Island, N. Y., Dr. Loosanotf was 

 detailed to study the conditions responsible for the disappearance of 

 oysters. 



It appears from the two surveys carried out in July and October 

 in Shinnecock Bay, that the largest part of this once productive 

 public oyster bottom is at present either much depleted or entirely 

 barren. Studies of conditions existing in the bay failed to establish 

 valid reasons why oysters could not be cultivated in that body of 

 water. The presence of a large number of marine animals of various 

 types ranging from the lowest invertebrates to fishes, and incluiling 

 many species closely related to oysters, also indicates that physical 

 and chemical conditions in the bay are basically favorable. It seems, 

 however, that the exceedingly dense growth of sea grass and hy- 

 droids on the bottom of the bay may be partly responsible for the 

 lack of oysters in many parts of that body of water. Such a heavy 

 growth covering the bottom undoubtedly prevents the setting of 

 oyster larvae, and interferes wdth the circulation of water, thus 

 depriving oysters of their food. It is probably significant tiiat at 

 the only station in the bay where oysters were found, little or no 

 grass was brought up in (h'edges. A heavy growth of hydroids at 

 that station was probably responsible for the poor growth of oysters. 

 The abundance of starfish and drills is considered another factor 

 responsible for the disappearance of oysters from the bay. 



According to the town's regulations the oyster bottom of Shinnecock 

 Bay is public property, no private ownership of the oyster grounds 

 being permitted. Because of the almost complete disappearance of 

 oysters, however, members of the community derive little benefit from 

 the resource. The ])resent regulations are therefore of sentimental 

 rather than of practical value. The very fact that the oyster grounds 

 are public property may be responsible for the disappearance of 

 oysters. Oystermen who make their living from public beds take, 

 as a rule, very little care of them. No regular shell planting is prac- 

 ticed, and no attempts are made to combat oyster enemies such as star- 

 fish and drills. As a result, these oyster bottoms which have been 

 very prolific in past years are either entirely barren or show a marked 

 decrease in yield. Because of lack of cultivation, oyster grounds are 

 being gradually covered with debris and a dense growth of sea grass 

 and hydroids, which make them unsuitable for oyster growing. 



Considering the facts that Shinnecock Bay is at present virtually 

 devoid of oysters and that the Board of Trustees has no funds to 

 engage in oyster cultivation it is recommended that the bottom of the 

 bay be leased to persons depending upon shellfisheries for a livelihood 

 so that planting, cultivation, and protection of oysters may be 

 resumed. 



Pollutimi of loater in Cherrystone Inlet, Va. — Upon the request of 

 the Virginia Commission of Fisheries, investigations were carried 

 out by Dr. Chipman to determine the cause of the high mortality of 

 crabs and fish in Cherrystone Inlet last summer. It was found that 

 the waters in question were polluted by cannery wastes. Determina- 



