222 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The annual oyster product of the river and tributaries during the last five seasons 
has averaged about 1,750,000 bushels, for which the fishermen have received 1740,000, 
an average of 43,750 bushels and $18,500 to the square mile. The average quantity 
per square mile obtained in this region is greater than that of any other locality in 
Maryland, but the average value of the product per square mile is surpassed by the 
yield in the Patuxent and Tangier regions. The Choptank oysters are much smaller 
than those from the Tangier region and are among the cheapest obtained in Maryland. 
Large quantities of them are transported north each spring for planting purposes ; and 
it is reported that as late as 1879 vessels loaded with planting stock from this river at 
a cost not exceeding 5 cents per bushel, the oysters being, of course, unculled. 
The citizens of Dorchester and Talbot counties enjoy the exclusive use of the 
Choptank Eiver reefs in common, but those of the former county engage more 
extensively in oystering. The use of scrapes was first authorized in 1870, and since 
then a very great increase has taken place in the area of the oyster beds, and the shape 
of the oysters has become more uniform, rendering them more valuable from an 
economic standpoint. 
Two large oyster-marketing ports, Cambridge and Oxford, utilizing annually 
about 600,000 and 300,000 bushels, respectively, are located on this river. 
Eastern Bay . — Eastern Bay is situated largely within the counties of Talbot and 
Queen Anne, the remaining portion being a part of the “ State waters.” The area 
situated within “ county waters” approximates 73 square miles; and, of that portion 
situated within the limits of Talbot County, about 7 square miles are utilized by a 
scraping fleet, the remaining area being reserved for tonging. The greatest depth of 
water is about 10 fathoms, the average being from 12 to 20 feet. The area more or 
less thickly covered with natural oyster- grounds, which are much scattered, is about 
26 square miles. The average annual product of that portion within “ county waters” 
is about 500,000 bushels, for which the oystermen receive about $250,000, an average 
of 19,230 bushels and $9,615 per square mile. 
The Eastern Bay oysters are somewhat larger than the Choptauks and are sold 
at almost as high a price as the Tangiers. The only wholesale oyster ports on the 
shore of this bay are St. Michael and Claiborne, which handle annually about 225,000 
and 35,000 bushels, respectively, nearly all the rest of the catch going to Baltimore. 
Chester River . — This river, the northernmost and smallest of the four large coastal 
indentations on the Eastern Shore, is situated entirely within the counties of Kent 
and Queen Anne. The area approximates 68 square miles, being but little smaller 
than the “county water” area of Eastern Bay, and the area of the natural oyster- 
beds is about 17 square miles. While in one or two places in this river the depth of 
water is about 11 fathoms, few oyster- reefs exist where the depth is greater than 23 feet ; 
or if they exist they are little known and are of no value, as tonging only is authorized. 
As the oyster fishery in this estuary had not been sufficiently developed to 
warrant the use of dredges prior to the anti-dredging regulation of 1820, this form 
of oystering has never been legally prosecuted in these waters, but it has, during 
recent years, been a favorite locality for the operations of those dredgers willing to 
run risks in encroaching upon the areas reserved for the tongmen. 
The annual oyster product of the Chester Eiver approximates 450,000 bushels, 
for which the oystermen receive about $235,000, an average of 26,470 bushels and 
$13,823 for each square mile of reefs. There are no large wholesale oyster markets 
on the shores of this river and the catch is marketed mostly at Baltimore. 
