122 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



of $1,000 an acre to establish the beds, it can be seen that suitable 

 oyster lands are in demand and that they are returning a good profit. 



Experiments of the U. S. Bureau have shown that we can expect 

 large profits from the culture of the little native oyster, for they grow 

 much more rapidly here tlian in Puget Sound. The Japanese oyster 

 also shows the same rapid growth. 



There is an excellent and growing market for oysters on the west 

 coast, and they can be profitably shipped for long distances. 



One oyster company is now experimenting on a rather large scale in 

 the Monterey Bay region with different forms of collectors and with 

 different methods of preparing the beds, under the direction of the 

 U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, and the results are most encouraging. Claims 

 are being staked out in a number of places in the state, under the old 

 oyster claim law, and a revived interest in oyster culture is apparent. 



OYSTER INSPECTION 



In the experiments which are being carried on by oyster men, oysters 

 are shipped here from Japan and, as there is the greatest danger that 

 pests will be unintentionally introduced along with them, we have been 

 inspecting all such shipments. One shipment of oyster spat was confis- 

 cated and destroyed because it contained many of the egg capsules of 

 the Japanese oyster drill. These were at the hatching stage and to 

 permit their introduction along with the oysters would result later in 

 great loss to the oyster companies. In this work we have had the fullest 

 cooperation of the oyster companies, for they realize the great damage 

 which can be done by this, the most destructive of all the species of 

 oyster drills. 



As a result of our inspection the oysters shipped from Japan will be 

 from clean stock and will be carefully inspected before they are 

 shipped. Shipments will not be made at the season of the year when 

 there is danger of In-inging in the eggs of the drill or of other pests 

 less destructive in their habits. 



It is believed, however, that even with the greatest vigilance, the 

 Japanese oyster drill will gain admission if we continue to receive 

 oysters from Japan. It is proposed that certain waters be set aside 

 for the growing of the Japanese oysters where there will be little 

 chance of the drill spreading to waters reserved for the cultivation of 

 the native oysters. 



NEED OF REGULATORY AUTHORITY 



There is need of a comprehensive state law which will give the Divi- 

 sion of Fish and Game authority to regulate not only the culture of 

 oysters but the culture of other shellfish, such as clams and mussels. 

 State and privately claimed tide lands suitable for shellfish culture 

 should be made available to those who would engage in the cultivation 

 of these shellfish through allotment or lease, and thej'- should be under 

 the regulation and control of the state. It will be necessary to protect 

 natural oyster reefs and to have reservations established for the protec- 

 tion of breeding stock and thus avoid overfishing, as has occurred almost 

 every place where oysters are grown. It will be neces.sary to carry on 

 extensive experiments under experts to determine the proper methods 

 of preparing oyster bottoms and the best forms of collectors for the 



