439 



Many fishes and several moUuses and the blue crab are economically valuable 

 and are now beins utilized. Others in each of these general classes of living things 

 to which these animals belong could be utilized were markets developed or new 

 capturing and processing techniques perfected. Still others could be utilized or 

 utilized more efficiently were adequate cultural, aqui- or mariculture, and process- 

 ing techniques developed. 



Many plants and animals, though not directly useful to Virginia, are — neverthe- 

 less — neces.sary to the food chains (the web of life) that supports other valuable 

 fishes and processes. Some marine animals and plants, for example, certain jelly 

 fish, shipworms and grubs, fouling organisms, oyster drills, oyster worms, red- 

 water organisms and parasites, are "natural resources in reverse." They disrupt 

 man's marine-oriented activities and affect his plans and economy. Even they, 

 however, have a place in the natural scheme of things which it may not be wise 

 to unbalance too i-eadily by their mass destruction. 



Molluscs — oysters, hard clams, soft clams, surf clams, mussels, scallops, snails, 



squid 



Of all the groups of marine organisms represented in the marine environment 

 the molluscs are the most valuable. The rich, actual or i>otential, economic fauna 

 includes the Atlantic oyster, hard clam, soft clam, surf clam, sea scallop, mussels, 

 whelks and conchs and other small snails. Though used primarily as bait for 

 si)ort fishermen, some squid are caught land sold for food. Almo'sit all of these could 

 probably stand heavier exploitation were proper methods used and markets 

 available (see Api^endix II) . 



The molluscs are also most likely prosi>ects for actual farming or mariculture. 

 It is not surprising, therefore, that oysters and hard clams are being crudely 

 farmed and that it is on these species that actual breeding and controlled hatching 

 and rearing work is being done by science and industry. Even under present 

 inadequate culture methods and notwithstanding temporary .short- or long-term 

 difficulties resulting from diseases and predators, Virginia's oyster production 

 could be doubled or tripled in a short period of time with very little effort. The 

 technique and scientific know-how ai^ available. Though some of Virginia's 

 problems in not increasing production stem from traditional social practices, 

 some are due to an antiquated and backward outlook by the industry and some 

 are due to poor or inappropriate private and public management practices. 



As far as is known all marine animals are sensitive to the "wastes of society 

 but because they are largely fixed in position and cannot readily escape, molluscs 

 are especially vulnerable to long-term contamination of their home waters by 

 chemicals, heat or silt. Though small amounts of domestic sewage may be bene- 

 ficial, which possibility should be considered and utilized where possible, large 

 amounts are detrimental as are almost all industrial and radioactive wastes. 

 Estuarine and coastal Avaters must remain as pollution-free as possible. 



Finfishes 



Many species of fishes live in Virginia waters. Many are already exploited and 

 many more could be utilized were markets available or were the need for addi- 

 tional protein really great (see Appendix III). Of those now being used, only four 

 or five are being exploited to or beyond their probable maximum capacity. 



Indications are that at present levels of exploitation man's activities have little 

 effect on population levels of most fishes. Natural factors of hydroclimatology 

 are of greater significance. However, long-term changes in water quality or in the 

 nursery and spawning areas may be affecting the finfisheries, especially those 

 whose .survival depends upon the availaibility of si>ecial, often restricted, waters 

 and bottoms for parts of their life histories. 



Crustacea 



Virginia predominates in production of the blue crab. Though the supply 

 fluctuates, it has generally been adequate to meet demands. Delicious crab prod- 

 ucts are, or should be, well known to everyone. The iX)pulation might be exploited 

 more heavily. Lobster is also caught and other crustaceans might be used (see 

 Apijendix IV). Crustacea are susceptible to overfishing, pollution and destruction 

 of nursery and spawning areas by siltntion and engineering changes. 



Other organisms 



Though not commercially exploited or perhaps even exploitable, many micro- 

 scopic marine plants and invertebrates are useful as food for higher organisms. 

 In addition, their qualitative and quantitative distribution may serve to indicate 



