APPENDIX A 
CHESTER RIVER OYSTER MORTALITY 
A review of recent Fisheries Administration catch records 
and oyster bar surveys of the upper Chester River indicates a 
significant decline in the populations of both oysters and 
associated organisms. 
A major oyster mortality occurred during the spring and 
summer of 1973 in Langford Creek and the Chester River above 
Oldfield oyster bar. The 1974 fall survey showed the mor¬ 
tality was continuing as Oldfield had died-off and some mor¬ 
tality had occurred on Piney Point bar. No live oysters were 
found above Hells Delight bar during the 1975 oyster survey. 
These mortalities caused oyster landings from the area above 
Piney Point bar to decline from 50,000 bushels in 1972-1973 
to 650 bushels for the 1975-1976 season. 
The following is the text of a 8 June 1978 letter sent to 
us by George E. Krantz of the Horn Point Environmental Labora¬ 
tories : 
"Please excuse the long delay in sending you some data on 
the Chester River mortality. Unfortunately my files were loaned 
to other investigators who removed many of the original documents 
that I described to you during our phone conversation last month. 
I think I have found copies of most of the information but I was 
unable to find a complete briefing document for you. Perhaps 
some of the data, especially from the Dept, of Natural Resources 
will be helpful in your study. At a later date we may be able 
to more thoroughly discuss the observations that may have ex¬ 
isted in this historical phenomenon." 
Data on pages 103 thru 110 were compiled by Roy Scott, DNR, 
from field data sheets reflecting Fall oyster bar survey results. 
Time of survey of specific bars varied from October thru March of 
a given year. 
103 
