366 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
WASHINGTON. 
NATIVE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF WILLAPA OR SHOALWATER BAY. 
The total annual output of native oysters from Wiilapa Bay is about 
40,000 sacks. Oysters are taken from the natural deposits below low- 
water mark, the large ones marketed afd the small ones transplanted 
to the adjacent tide lands until they attain a marketable size. 
This large but shallow bay is cut by many intricate channels of deeper 
water where small oysters (Ostrea lurida) are obtained by tonging from 
flat-bottomed boats. They are then culled or sorted, and the bulk of 
each boat load, not being at once marketable, is scattered broadcast 
with shovels upon the selected bedding-grounds above low-water mark. 
This is done when such oyster-grounds are sufficiently covered by the 
tides to permit the free passage of boats. Two and a half years is the 
usual time required for the desired growth. 
Each oysterman marks the boundaries of his bed of transplanted 
oysters with young pine saplings from which most of the branches have 
been trimmed, the tops being left to render such marks more conspic- 
nous. Some planters occupy as much as 100 acres of tide land in this 
way. 
For transplanting, sandy or other smooth bottom is preferred; it 
should be clean and free from seaweed. It is claimed that in such 
situations oysters reach their full size much sooner than on muddy 
bottom. Seaweed or grass grows rankly in many parts of Willapa 
Bay, and in the vicinity of Oysterville has taken full possession of 
large tracts that were formerly valuable for oysters. It is frequently 
mowed, but this is difficult work and can only be favorably done at 
one stage of the tide when the depth of water is only a few inches, 
while floating weed is likely to accumulate against boundary stakes 
and break them down. 
Oyster beds here are not inclosed by closely set stakes, there being 
no destructive stingrays as at San Francisco. Starfish are abundant 
upon the natural beds along the channels, and are constartly destroyed 
by the oystermen when tonged up. Occasionally severe winters are 
ruinous to the transplanted beds, as the oysters freeze by being left 
exposed at low tide. In 1888 the cold weather killed 60 per cent of all 
oysters laid out above low-water mark. 
After the culling operation, salable oysters are thrown into floats, 
through which the water passes freely, for safe keeping until sacked for 
shipment. Sacks holding nearly 2 bushels of oysters sell for $1.75 per 
sack. 
An average of nearly 400 baskets of Willapa Bay oysters go to San 
Francisco by each steamer. Steamers run every four days, and as the 
baskets hold nearly a bushel, it is probable that over 35,000 bushels are 
