Survey of Oyster Bars, Somerset Comity, Md. 15 



sufficient to state that the actual experience gained from oyster surveys in other States 

 has proven that to accurately locate and permanently establish oyster boundaries as 

 is now being done in Maryland is necessary if endless dissatisfaction and future liti- 

 gation are to be avoided. 



Such refinement of survey work as demanded by the conditions of an oyster survey 

 when carried on at considerable distances offshore can only be obtained by the use of a 

 system of triangulation as a framework or foundation. Therefore, a triangulation 

 survey including the permanent marking of the positions of landmarks with monuments 

 and a record of the descriptions of their locations for future recovery is a necessary 

 operation of a complete oyster survey. 



The technical records which established the relation between the offshore oyster 

 boundaries and triangulation landmarks are sufficient for the requirements of engi- 

 neers in making resurveys, but do not supply the needs of others who are interested in 

 the same boundaries by reason of their occupation as oystermen concerned as to the 

 public oyster bars, or oyster culturists concerned as to the barren bottoms. For these 

 it is necessary to have tin- charts of (he survey show the relation of the shore line and 

 Other topographic features to the boundaries of the public oyster bars and private oyster 

 farms. Therefore, a topographic survey is a necessary operation of a complete oyster 

 survey. 



In the settlement of the important question of what is, or what is not, a natural 

 oyster bar, and in the consideration of bottoms to be selected for purposes of oyster 

 culture, information as to the depth of water and the character of the bottom is 

 required. Therefore, a hvdrographic survey is a necessary operation of a complete 

 oyster survey. 



Consequently, the necessary components of a satisfactory foundation for a complete 

 oyster survey are the three classes of survey operations technically named triangula- 

 tion, topography, and hydrography, or, stated in another way, the foundation of a 

 practical oyster survey includes the surveying operations usually followed by the Coast 

 and Geodetic Survey leading up to the preparation and publication of navigational 

 charts. 



Having obtained this cartographic survey for a foundation, partly by new work 

 and partlv from records of previous work of the Government, the combined operations " 

 making up an "oyster survey" are completed by superimposing on this foundation 

 special surveys and investigations pertaining particularly to oysters or other shell fish. 



The special surveys pertaining to oysters furnish information as to the location 

 and outline of oyster-shell bottoms and are carried on by the sounding boat party in 

 addition to their usual hvdrographic work. 6 This operation consists of a record of 

 the character of vibration of a wire and chain apparatus which drags over the bottom. 

 The vibrations or lack of vibrations indicating the presence or absence of shells. 



The special oyster investigations c consist of the actual determination of the kind 

 and quantity of oysters on the bottom, and such economic and biological studies of 

 the supply of oyster food, density of water, character of the bottom, and other important 



a See Appendix C of this publication for "Statistics of results of combined operations of the Gov- 

 ernment and State." 



& See pages 104 to 123 of "First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission." 



c See pages 30 to 67 and 129 to 199 of "First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission." 



