for growth and marketing of clams and oysters. Prior to the Woods Hole 

 Studies of the early 1950s, Dr. Vanderborgh and Glancy knew that algae called 

 "small forms" were the immediate cause of decline of the oyster industry. 

 They had attributed it to restriction of water flow through Fire Island Inlet, 

 but the Woods Hole work showed conclusively that duck farm wastes were the 

 cause. Studies of the blooms of phytoplankton "small forms" by J. B. Lackey 

 and by A. C. Redfield and a group from Woods Hole, Mass. attributed the later 

 decline of the oyster and clam industries to starvation from absence of 

 suitable food. Blooms were attributed to pollution from duck farms. 

 Luxuriant growth of a serpulid worm, Hexagonus hydroides , which also had 

 adverse effects upon shellfish production, also was attributed to the 

 "small forms". Water in the bays was turbid and yellowish, and fishing, as 

 well as shellf ishing, was poor. The public questioned the edibility of 

 oysters and clams. When Moriches Inlet was closed in 1951-53, blooms were 

 the heaviest ever seen and extended throughout all 3 bays. By 1953 clams 

 were weak and meats were so thin that dealers were refusing to market them. 

 The author concluded that reopening of the Inlet in 1953 saved the clam 

 industry. Salinities rose quickly and "small forms" virtually disappeared. 

 When "small forms" were not in excess of 100,000/ml, growth and fattening of 

 clams and the few remaining oysters was excellent, and the worms disappeared. 

 The new clam and oyster industries which sprang up after Moriches Inlet broke 

 through in 1931 were always menaced by the public health aspects of duck 

 farm pollution, and harvesting was permitted only in winter when shellfish 

 were hibernating. It was concluded from the various studies in the 1950s 

 that opening of Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets, by raising salinity, created 

 optimum conditions for growth and fattening of shellfish and also removed 

 pollution. A warning was given, however, that growing human population and 

 industry on Long Island was a threat, which must be reduced to a minimum by 

 maintaining the flushing power of the inlets. It was recommended also that 

 Fire Island Inlet should be relocated in its natural position just west of 

 Fire Island Light. The value of oyster and clam production in Shinnecock, 

 Moriches, and Great South Bays is reviewed. It was estimated that improved 

 water conditions would make available 1,000 acres for oyster and clam farming 

 to produce 100 bu oysters and 25 bu hard clams/acre, and 15,000 acres of 

 public grounds, exclusive of Islip waters, which would produce an average of 

 10 bu clams/acre. Estimated annual production of hard clams would be at 

 least $800,000 by 1960 (in 1956 dollars) if inlets were maintained. Normal 

 hard clam production in Islip waters in Great South Bay had been about 

 150,000 bu/yr. As Moriches Inlet closed, production dropped below 20,000 bu 

 by 1954. After the inlet was opened, heavy clam sets occurred in 1954 and 

 1955, and production from Islip waters was expected to rise to 150,000 bu 

 by 1960. With maintenance of proper circulation in the 3 bays, clam 

 production from public and private grounds combined could rise to $1.5 to 

 $1.6 million by 1960. Costs of maintenance of the inlets were judged to be 

 economically beneficial from improvement in shellfish production alone. 

 - J.L.M. 



659 



Glancy, Joseph B. 196 5. 



Method of raising shellfish seed in a simulated habitat. Patent no. 

 3,196,833, July 27, 1965. 



The method of producing shellfish seed in a favorable habitat which com- 

 prises placing shellfish larvae in a contaminant free and nutrient including 

 environment and exposing the larvae and environment to periods of direct 

 solar radiation. - J.L.M. 



660 



Glud (sic), John B. 1949. 



Notes on clam investigations conference. U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish Wildl. 

 Serv., Boothbay Harbor, Me., p. 1-9. 



Venus mercenaries was mentioned, but no conclusions drawn. - J.L.M. 



184 



