CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER 

 BEDS OF DELAWARE. 



By H. F. Moore, 



Assistant, United States Bureau of Fisheries. 



INTRODUCTION. 



At the solicitation of the Delaware Oyster Survey Commission the 

 Bureau of Fisheries during the summer of 1910 undertook a survey 

 of the natural oyster beds of Delaware Bay within the jurisdiction of 

 the State of Delaware. The State, which was making a survey of the 

 planted beds under the supervision of Mr. C. C. Yates, of the United 

 States Coast and Geodetic Survey, furnished the triangulation and 

 made a small appropriation for the payment of two temporary em- 

 ployees during part of the work, but the Bureau of Fisheries fur- 

 nished all other personnel, in addition to launches, boats, and 

 equipment . 



The steamer Fish Hawk was detailed for the work from June 1 to 

 July 10, though, owing to unexpected delays in securing a launch 

 able enough for the execution of hydrography in the open waters of 

 the bay, she did not actually reach the field of operations until June 

 18. Part of the civilian personnel was ordered to the ship on May 26, 

 in order to have the equipment in readiness for the anticipated com- 

 mencement of work on June 1, on which date the entire party was 

 assembled. 



The purpose of the survey was the accurate location and charting 

 of the natural oyster beds and the investigation of their present 

 condition and productiveness. Xo previous survey or investigation 

 of the beds of this region has been made, and although their approxi- 

 mate location is known to the local oystermen with reference to cer- 

 tain moreor less indefinable natural landmarks, it is difficult for them 

 to indicate, even roughly, their general position on the charts. Con- 

 cerning some of the beds, and especially the southern extension of 

 Flogger bed, the information obtained from the various sources was 

 extremely contradictory. 



59395°— 11 17 3 



