168 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
For many years Oaldand Bay was an unfailing producer of seed oysters. A high 
production of adult oysters was maintained in the bay, and much seed was taken to 
other bays. A part of the State reserve has been improved with permanent dikes, 
and these beds have contributed a large sum annually to the oyster fund through the 
sale of seed. Privately owned areas adjacent to the "Narrows” obtained a good 
set of seed, which was an important source of income to the owner. There were, in 
reality, two oyster industries in Oakland Bay: One, the production of seed, which 
was carried on largely by the State ; and the other, the raising of adult oysters, which 
engaged private enterprise. The adult oyster thrived well and the set was regular, 
although subject to annual variations. Cold weather during low tides has twice 
exacted a heavy toll of oysters. In 1916 it appeared that complete destruction had 
resulted. A few oysters, however, on the lower beds and in the channels survived, 
and the following summer a good crop of seed was obtained. This fact shows that a 
few adult oysters can, under favorable conditions, produce a good set of seed oysters. 
Within the last three years conditions have changed radically. At the request of 
the oystermen a preliminary survey of the beds was made in May, 1929, which 
brought to light a few very definite facts. Many of the oysters were dying, and a 
majority on the lower beds were already dead. In the channels and on the undiked 
ground careful search revealed the presence of a few medium-sized oysters which 
were in the early stages of decomposition. Clams were working out of the ground, 
and they were in such a weakened conditions that one could pull the shell open with 
the fingers to examine the watery decomposing body within, which still showed signs 
of life. In the dikes of medium height a few large oysters were alive, but they showed 
no signs of the recent growth which would be expected. When these oysters were 
shucked they soon lost water from the body, and there remained a thin flabby piece 
of meat which had a decidedly bitter taste. On the higher beds the condition of the 
oysters was the same, but only a few had died recently. 
This condition was not what one would expect from freezing, because, in that 
case, the higher and more exposed oysters would have suffered the most. In the 
present case, oysters on high, exposed ground showed no abnormal death rate. 
No seed was obtained in 1927 and 1928, and judging from the condition of the 
oysters in May, 1929, it appeared doubtful, due to their emaciated condition, that 
any would develop reproductive material in that year. The oysters, apparently, 
did not remain open and feeding, as did those in adjacent bays. As soon as gray 
larvae could be found in the mantle cavity of oysters in Totten Inlet, samples of 
water taken from Oakland Bay were introduced into normal sea water in which larvae 
were living to determine if any reaction would follow. A few experiments, which 
will be discussed later, showed that larvae were noticeably affected by Oakland 
Bay water. 
SURVEY OF THE BEDS 
An effort was made to determine the exact condition of the beds at the time of 
the investigation. (Figs. 44 and 45.) The area inside of each dike was examined 
and samples taken. A frame, inclosing a square yard, was placed on the bed, and all 
shells and oysters in the inclosure were taken up in a box for later examination. 
The samples were taken at random if the bed appeared to have an even distribution 
of oysters over its entire area. On low ground, where the bottom was uneven, or on 
beds then being worked, an effort was made to get adequate samples. The number 
ranged from 1 to 3 square yards in each dike. A number of records w re checked 
