THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF THE WORLD 



563 



(.Courtesy U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) 

 Fig. 26-8. "Quinnipiac" suction dredger in Long Island Sound. 





(Courtesy Louisiana Dept. of Fish and Wild Life) 

 Fig. 26-9. Oyster harvester of a scooper type in Louisiana. 



rock or similar obstruction. The efficiency of both harvesters is so high that they 

 should not be used on public reefs, which in a short time could be completely 

 stripped by this method of fishing. Harvesters can be used to a great advantage, 

 however, in the cultivation and replanting of large areas of bottoms by private 

 companies or state organizations. 



Natural Enemies of the Oyster 



Man is undoubtedly the greatest enemy of the oyster. Through his greediness, 

 neglect, and lack of foresight he is directly responsible for the devastation of huge 

 areas of natural oyster bottoms. In his destructive actions he is being helped by 

 the natural enemies which prey on defenseless oysters. Various marine snails, 

 usually called drills or conchs, are particularly harmful. They attack the oyster by 

 boring a small hole in its shell into which they insert their long proboscis equipped 



