14 



COMMEECIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 



Vol. 13, No. 7 



Maryland to Study St. Mary's River Oyster Seed Area 



Scientists of the Chesapeake Biologioal Laboratory and of the Chesapeake 

 Bay Institute are planning to make an intensive joint study of the St. Mary's 

 River during the oyster-spawning and setting season this summer, according to 

 an oyster biologist of the Maryland Department of Research and Education at 

 Solomons . 



The river has long been noted for its ability to produce high sets of spat 

 or young oysters. In' recent years, the State has put this characteristic to 

 practical use through the planting of clean shells on the bottom in order to pro- 

 vide suitable surfaces for the attachment of young oysters. The reasons for this 

 local high rate of setting are not thoroughly understood. A more complete know- 

 ledge of the factors which bring it about would be of great value in locating or 

 developing other good seed areas. 



It is planned to make observations of the currents, temperatures, salinity, 

 turbidity, chemistry, food production, and other characteristics of the water at 

 frequent intervals at numerous locations. The time and intensity of oyster set- 

 ting will be determined by exposing clean test shells in small wire bags at peri- 

 odic intervals. The distribution and abundance of oyster larvae (early swimming 

 stages) will be studied by passing measured quantities of water through fine silk 

 nets. 



Data of this nature, added to that obtained from the James River study, should 

 help establish many of the necessary factors which are needed to produce a good 

 set of young oysters. Biolsgists of the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory and of the 

 Fish and Wildlife Service will help in planning and supplementing certain phases 

 of the project. 



Michigan Great Lakes Fishermen Permitted to Fish for Sturgeon 



For the first time in nearly 22 years, Michigan Great Lakes conmercial fisher- 

 men may legally take sturgeon as the result of the Governor's approval of Act 194 

 of the public acts of 1951, the Michigan Department of Conservation reported in a 

 June news release. The Department points out that the law permitting the taking of 

 42-inch or longer sturgeon was given immediate effect. 



Repeal of the closed season was recommended since it had no apparent effect on 

 building up the low sturgeon population — and so the State law would conform with that 

 of Ontario. 



LAKE STURGEON ( ACIPENSER RUB ICUNDUs ) 



