Biological Contributions to the Development of the Oyster Industry in Maryland

Oyster production in the Chesapeake Bay, exclusive of the tidewater tributaries and the very limited "upper-bay" areas, decreased, in spite of warning from scientists and those especially charged with conservation work, until of late there has not been sufficient stock on the bars to re-seed the vast formerly productive areas of Maryland. It safely can be predicted that the rich tributaries, now much more intensively and ruthlessly worked than in the days when the Bay, because of its more desirable oysters, was highly productive, will show a rapid decline in production. In fact, the State's total output during the past year, approximately two and a quarter millions of bushels, as compared with a peak production of fifteen millions of bushels, is but another illustration of the ever downward trend that has been experienced.From these preliminary and rather general observations it became apparent that there was decided need for research and accurate information upon which well-founded conservation policies could be founded. To that end the present work was planned and directed.