DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUREAU OF FISHERIES
HUGH M. SMITH, Commissioner

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL
OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS
' OF LAVACA BAY, TEXAS

By H. F. Moore

Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry
U.S. Bureau of Fisheries
AND

ERNEST DANGLADE
Scientific Assistant

°

APPENDIX II TO THE REPORT OF THE U. S. COMMISSIONER
OF FISHERIES FOR 1914

Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 809 p

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1915

| . 0. OF OD. .
| pe FEB 24 1915

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER
BEDS AND BARREN BOTIOMS OF
LAVACA BAY, TEXAS

By H. F. Moore

Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry
U.S. Bureau of Fisheries

AND
ERNEST DANGLADE
Scientific Assistant

Appendix II to the Report of the U. S, Commissioner
of Fisheries for 1914

cilia re Dera NA ene

CONTENTS.

Page.
a COSS OSS OPI SRN SS ics iT aici ae 5
SiC SIS Ges ACHR O'S oS OIG LS SOR RE ee 6
ere aga eae fay ea Ne ee SS = Meals a, whats Lia ak So a's ae. < 10
er aaa a eileen ees eae Rae Nara me lel e ici tue Carns sw ae ee aed 11
Se ERE A Aniee eee SR Peeper REe eRe he moa lair a) gies aa 11
Pelnunps noriheasi:of Sand Point Reefv.--..2....-.s:.2---.-2+.2.+-.--2-1- ule
mMinddleGround Reef_c...-...2.202...-.- 13 hee AE ee ae Bae 13
ldeown, Bede soo. 23 -c.2 sees Soe Ral: ae ee aE ae 14
Rrampssom ino Old Town Bed. 2-2-2205 ke so oo see ee ee oe oe Sa O15
Seed north ob Middle Ground Reef....2.2..212 222.226.5522 22 2.22. eee eee. 16
: TR ell est TB rc epee SS As a la ec Bee ON ae Yaa 7
F ShinadessPomt Reef!.-.-......... 2. CUS RE EER IE aes 18
DOE JSG loe s ewan oe ee MNS ae i SEEN eR ea cg 20
eee Gallinipper Reefs...) .-.22 22. safe Se es A eee 21
a ieeUein mech amet CU RUN RE Sk eed ee: 22
ie) Teale Clatenliovny 1S ie lee Ms eee gt On eee 0 A eT a pat aan! 23
2 Lead INDE. So be CSRS ee ES RS Ot ee oes Ca er ne Sree en 24
URSSIRSS, [NO EtL ase chee SA os aT eR Se egret 2 ER
Beds northwest of Lap Reef.-...-.-- Ee es ela aor eee es ci ce a cae 26
Tenet: TRG G Sine 5 cts as eae Dede 1 a ae 27
ieppeckirmp ee. sles as ss ae Ra ee a SSS ANY 28
Beiie ina Roammiphicenes wee eet een tk a ae a 29
© Pha THETA 2 eh RE ane ae re ae ee 30
1? SAACLE OS) TEST SUT Ra ee a 3]
EPWIA0I) CineSie TOS Tage sects dee ers ia eee ete a een 32
Patches between Benado Creek and Lavaca River BERS Swetan tea ahha 8,5 33
Review of the natural OMSL CERO CU acer eeep rey mieten ey See pure ate Se ae Ne ss 33
- Egemesin, [UO TROGTS Le Seta Dae a IM i ee 37
Miecticralgunyctcal and biolostcal conditions....-....2.- 12 2.225222. 2222-25-42 39
eeleiges mob curkemtss sec etre ewe elo eee eae ae elatoe eS eeS ss 39
Salinity and: tenuperature of the waterss:.22225.2.0 25205 feces beets ek 39
. <a SUBIR, CICS ES Sho a ae Pe a ee ee ere: |
espawming:) £2252... tide LR Fev eM LT le aia eng adhd ee Re 42
Mmctemenlgures.- 2.0. ng ok 2S SSG SS CC ee ee 43
Résumé, conclusions, and recommendations... A TOES Reps cae Re Sen CI 45

3

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS AND
BARREN BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEXAS.

By H. F. Moors, Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheres,
AND

Ernest Daneiade, Scientific Assistant.

INTRODUCTION.

This survey was made at the request of Col. W. G. Sterett, game,
fish, and oyster commissioner of Texas, preferred through Hon.
A.S. Burleson, at that time Representative in Congress from Texas,
who secured an act of Congress authorizing the work.

The investigation began on February 1, 1913, and was concluded
May 12. The steamer Fish Hawk served as the base of operations
until the examination of the lower two-thirds of the bay had been
completed, after which, from April 1 until the end of the work, the
field party, consisting of the scientific staff and a detail from the
vessel, made their headquarters on a shallow-draft schooner which
could enter the shoal waters not practicable for the steamer.

The survey was under the immediate direction of Mr. T. HE. B.
Pope, scientific assistant, whose subsequent resignation from the
service prevented his preparation of the report. Mr. Danglade was
second in charge and the biological investigations were made by him.
Chief Boatswain William Martin was in command of the vessel until
his detachment, after which Boatswain J. J. O’Brien assumed com-
mand.

The work was much hampered by bad weather, and after practically
~ all of the signals had been erected they were blown down by a gale.
The triangulation was carried into the bay from two old stations
(“Sand” and ‘‘La Salle’’) of the Coast and Geodetic Survey which
were recovered. Thesignals were cut in as carefully as possible with
the sextant, the accuracy of the work being checked by erecting cer-

tain of the signals in two ranges diverging from ‘‘Sand.’”’ While this
~ method does not give the precision exacted by the Coast Survey, it is
sufficiently exact for the purposes of the present investigation.

No previous oyster survey has been made in Lavaca Bay, but in
1905 an investigation similar to this was conducted in Matagorda Bay,
above Half Moon Reef, a report being published in the following year.

5

6 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

METHODS OF THE SURVEY.

The methods employed were those pursued in former surveys of like E
character, and are explained in detail in a description of the beds of the

James River,” from which some of the following is repeated:

A “boat sheet’? was prepared, on which were accurately platted
the positions, as determined by triangulation, of lighthouses, build-
ings, tripods, etc., used as signals. These data were furnished by the
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

The oyster beds were discovered by soundings with a lead line, but

principally by means of a length of chain dragged over the bottom at —

the end of a copper wire running from the sounding boat. The wire was
wound on a reel and its unwound length was adjusted to the depth
of water and the speed of the launch, so that the chain was always on
the bottom. Whenever the chain touched a shell or an oyster the
shock or vibration was transmitted up the wire to the hand of a man
whose sole duty it was to give heed to such signals and report them to
the recorder.

The launches from which the soundings were made were run at a
speed of between 3 and 4 miles per hour. At intervals of three
minutes—in some cases two minutes—the position of the boat was
determined by two simultaneous sextant observations of the angles
between a set of three signals, the middle one of which was common to

the two angles, the position being immediately platted on the boat

sheet. At regular intervals of 15 seconds, as measured by a clock
under the observation of the recorder, the leadsman made a sounding
and reported to the recorder the depth of the water and the character
of the bottom, immediately after which the man at the wire reported
the character of the chain indications since the last sounding—that is,
whether they showed barren bottom or dense, scattering, or very
scattering growths of oysters.

With the boat running at 3 miles per hour the soundings were
between 60 and 70 feet apart, and, as the speed of the boat was
uniform, the location of each was determinable within a yard or two
by dividing the platted distance between the positions determined
by the sextant by the number of soundings. The chain, of course,
gave a continuous indication of the character of the bottom, but the
record was made at the regular 15-second intervals observed in
sounding.

The chain, while indicating the absence or the relative abundance
of objects on the bottom, gives no information as to whether they
are shells or oysters, nor, if the latter, their size and condition. To
obtain these data it was necessary to supplement the observations
already described by others more definite in respect to the desired

a Moore, H. F.: Condition and extent of the oyster beds of James River, Va. Bureau of Fisheries
Document no. 729.

= o ee eee ee ee
ce Rit ty ote st — se ee ie =" f bs 2 se 5 ,

— =

ere ae = Seo

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 7

particulars. Whenever, in the opinion of the officer in charge of the
- sounding boat, such information was required, a numbered buoy was
dropped, the time and number being entered in the sounding book.
Another launch, following the sounding boat, anchored alongside the
buoy, and a quantity of the oysters and eile were sage up,
separated by sizes, and counted.

This boat at oo station made a known number of ‘‘grabs”’ with
the oyster tongs, exercising care to clean the bottom of oysters as
thoroughly as possible at each grab. In a given depth of water and
_ using the same boat and tongs, an oysterman will cover practically
the same area of the bottom at each grab, but, other factors remaining
the same, the area of the grab will decrease with an increase in the
~ depth.

Careful measurements were made and tabulated showing the area
per grab covered by the tonger employed on the work at each foot
of depth of water and for each pair of tongs and boat used. With
these data, and knowing the number of ‘‘grabs,’’ the number of
oysters of each size per square yard of bottom was readily obtainable
by simple calculation. The following example will illustrate the
data obtained and the form of the record:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR.
BUREAU OF FISHERIES.
Field record of examinations of oyster beds.

General locality, Mississippi Sound.
Local name of oyster ground, Scranton Reef.

Date, February 1, 1911. Time, 2.00 p. m.

Angle, H 101. Buoy No. 6.

Depth, 4.3. Bottom, Soft, over 73/’.
' Condition of water, Thick.

Density, 1.016. Temperature, 19.

Current, Stage of tide, Flood.

No. grabs made, 8. Tongs, 10 feet.

Total area covered, 2.36 square yards.

—1 in., 20. 1 in.-3 in., 101.
Summ in's bey) hana OL
Quantity shells, 0. & dead.
Spat per square yard, 8.3.
Ren per square yard, 42.2.
Counts per square yard, 4.6.

No. oysters taken{

_ This furnishes an exact statement of the condition of the bed at

the spot, which can be platted on the chart with error in position

of not more than a few yards. From the data obtained a close esti-
66341 °—15—2

8 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

mate may be formed of the number of bushels of oysters and shells _
per acre in the vicinity of the examination, and, by multiplying the
observations, for the bed as a whole. In the course of the survey
472 shea iang were made at various places, principally on the
natural rocks, but some on the barren bottoms also.

In estimating the productiveness of the bottoms it appeaeeel
desirable to use the method employed in Delaware Bay % rather
than that followed in the James River survey.

Where tongs are used exclusively a bed with a given quantity of __
oysters lying in shoal water is more valuable commercially than one __
withthe same quantity of oysters in deeper water, owing to the fact
that the labor of the tonger is more efficient on the former. As has
been pointed out, the area covered by a ‘‘grab”’ decreases with the
depth, other factors being the same; and, moreover, the deeper the
water the greater is the labor involved in making the grab and the
smaller is the number of grabs which can be made in a given time.
Where, however, the depth is practically uniform and shoal, as in
the region treated in this report, it is unnecessarily refined and _
laborious to make such allowance for depth, and it is nearly as
accurate and satisfactory to rate the bottoms in accordance with an
arbitrary standard. |

In this report the classification of the relative productiveness of
the various beds and parts of beds, as exhibited on the chart and dis-
cussed in the text, is as follows:

Denseisrowthy.a-- oases a oo Bearing over 150 bushels per acre.

Scattering growth........---.-- Bearing between 75 and 150 bushels per acre. ’
Very scattering growth.........- Bearing between 25 and 75 bushels per acre.
Depleted bottom..............- Bearing less than 25 bushels per acre. 7

This classification refers solely to oysters of a size assumed to be
large enough for the market, in this case to those 3 inches or morein
length. As the classification takes no account of the smaller oysters,
certain areas bearing a heavy growth of young may be described and
shown on the chart as depleted, owing to the paucity of mature oysters.
While the charts can not indicate this, the descriptions of the beds
show it in all cases. The charts show in general terms the character
of the beds in respect to the product available for market, so far as
mere size of the oysters is concerned, at the time of the survey. If
the oysters were of ordinarily good condition and shape, which unfortu-
nately in most cases they were not, the areas indicated as bearing

dense and scattering growth onl yield a product sufficient to a
make tonging remunerative under the economic conditions existing. ;
Where the market oysters are rated as very scattering, the growthis __

insufficient to support a fishery at the low price wien the product

a Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds of Delaware. By H. F. Moore, assistant, United '
States Bureau of Fisheries. Bureau of Fisheries Document no. 745, 1911. : j
‘

b)

a

a ee

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 9

would yield. The depleted bottom is that on which the product of
market oysters, at the time of the survey, was very small, and is
not necessarily formerly productive bottom now denuded, as might
be supposed from a strict definition of the descriptive term employed.
On the contrary, it may be formerly barren bottom now coming into
production. .

The barren bottom, which is that totally devoid of oysters, and in
most cases of shells, vastly exceeds the oyster bottom in extent.
Its interest in connection with the survey lis in its relative avail-
ability for oyster culture; that is, whether or not its general character
is such as to enable it to become productive. if proper measures to
that end be taken. The most important consideration is, usually,
the character and degree of stability of its constituent materials.
If the bottom be too soft, the shells and oysters deposited thereon
will soon become engulfed.

In previous surveys the method ordinarily used by oystermen has
been employed, the consistency of the bottom being determined by
probing with a pole. By noting the resistance which the bottom
imposes to the penetration of the probe, the observer forms an opinion
of its relative hardness and of its suitability in that respect for oyster
culture. In many cases different observers will not agree as to the
proper term by which to describe the bottom so tested, and it is there-
fore difficult to convey to another the meaning desired. To overcome
this difficulty an instrument * has been devised which gives these data
mechanically, by measuring the number of inches the bottom is
penetrated by a plunger of a constant weight and size falling through
a uniform distance. The instrument is used from an anchored boat,
from 6 to 10 tests being made at each station. Any readings which
are markedly higher or lower than the others are discarded on the
assumption that the plunger has fallen into a crab hole or other
depression, or that it has encountered a shell or similar accidental
obstruction. -The average of the remaining depths of penetration,
as indicated on the scale of inches inscribed on the rod, is regarded
as the measure of the consistency of the bottom.

The following designations used to indicate the different degrees
of hardness, as shown by the instrument, are arbitrary, although
based on the terms used by the oyster growers:

TE gael ol Caeser eee ee eT Penetration less than 4 inches.

eee wee eee Penetration between 4 and $ inches.
ISD eye Sect en li ee Penetration between 8 and 13 inches.
“Wy BIS ASTONTE Ses ae Eee EU Aaa So Penetration between 13 and 18 inches.
(ODES Ras, RNS SED ee nape eS hk pe Penetration over 18 inches.

aTllustrated and described in ‘“‘Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds and barren bottoms
. of Mississippi Sound, Alabama.’”? By H. F. Moore, Bureau of Fisheries Document no. 769.

10 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

These various types of bottom are shown on the chart by means 0
circles, the relative area of black included within them indicating
the sell degree of hardness, as follows: Hard, a black circle;
stiff, a black semicircle; soft, a black quadrant; very soft, two cross- “S
ing champions: ooze, one Smee i

The bottoms doesed as hard and stiff, those in which the plunger
will not penetrate more than 8 inched are suitable for planting _
without preparation, provided they are not composed of shifting
sand. As sand invariably gives a reading of less than 4 inches, and
is therefore rated as ‘hard,’ it follows that all “stiff” bottom shown
on the chart by a black semicircle can be accepted as safe for planting. _
Part of the hard bottom is composed of mud and part of sand. The
former may be accepted without hesitation, but the latter should be
examined with respect to its liability to shift. Soft bottom should be
planted with care, and toward its upper or less consistent limits may
require some preliminary hardening with shells or sand. Very soft
bottom and ooze should not be considered, as oysters planted there
will sink, and if not killed, as is probable, will be ill-shaped and __
inferior in every respect. The ratings on which the classification is
based have been checked by observation on bottoms actually used
for oyster culture in Chesapeake Bay. j

The instrument employed has been thoroughly tested salt is reli-
able for the purposes of oyster surveys, but there may be errors in
cases where hard bottom is overlaid by several inches of soft mud
and ooze. Such bottoms are always readily detected by probing
with a pole. .

—- ee

LAVACA BAY.

Lavaca Bay is the northwest arm of Matagorda Bay and, exclusive
of minor bays, covers an area of about 60 square miles. Its greatest
width, including Kellers Bay, is about 7 miles, and it has alength, _
from Sand Point to the head of Garcitas Bay, of about 124 miles. It
is about 2 miles wide at its mouth, but the effective width for pur- |
poses of navigation is much reduced by bars and oyster reefs. The
mouth is about 15 miles from Pass Cavallo, the entrance from the
Gulf of Mexico, in which there is a variable depth of 9 to 10 feet on
the bar. Most of the lower half of the bay, excluding the shore
waters and the reefs, is from 7 to 9 feet deep, and a draft of about 7
feet can be carried at low water through the two short dredged
channels and to within a short distance of Lavaca, the only townon —
the bay and the center of the oyster industry of the region. The
upper half of the bay has an average depth of 4 to 5 feet. The
streams tributary are Cavallo River, Garcitas River, Benado Creek,
and Lavaca River, of which the latter is the largest. All of these
flow into the upper part of the bay.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. is

In the survey 16,153 soundings were made on lines aggregating
362 miles, the position of the boat being instrumentally fixed at
about 800 places. The character of the oysters and the nature of
the bottom were determined at 464 stations, of which 228 were on
the reefs and 236 on barren bottom, in addition to continuous chain
readings over a distance of 362 miles. The data available, therefore,
are sufficient to give an unusually accurate idea of the conditions for
‘both natural growth and oyster culture.

DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL BEDS.

SAND POINT REEF.

This reef is located on the northwest side of Sand Point and extends
ina southwesterly direction to join the more productive Middle
Ground Reef. There is no distinct line of demarcation between
these two reefs, but there is a gradual change in the character of the
bottom from sand to stiff mud. The average width of the reef is
about one-fourth of a mile, the length is about seven-eighths of a
mile, and the area is about 160 acres. Comparison of the charts of
the present survey with the coast survey charts shows that this bed
is gradually extending westward.

This reef bears singles and scattering bunches of good oysters,
nearly all of which are marketable. It has been fished for at least
the last 16 years and has never been entirely depleted, and at the
time of the survey the average tonger could take about three barrels
of oysters per day. On account of the protection afforded by Sand
Point it is fished principally when weather conditions prevent the
working of the more productive neighboring beds. The area, con-
dition of oyster growth, and estimated content of this bed are shown
in the following table:

OysteER GROWTH ON SAND Point REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over 3
aaa. «|| HAVES. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

BIE TIS RE ene ie a) ea Uh 78 336 212| 26,208] 16,536] 42,744
Wenyiscabberin gs .5 55. ase seis asia moses ee 20 604 57 12, 080 1,140 13, 220
TB applet ea(6l sc GREER TP cS ene 62 136 6| 8,432 372 8, 804

PANE asc ye et ulines Miter tant eis kill Perical eon gual oe cn. 46,720| 18,048] .64, 768

sa OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

Drrarms OF EXAMINATION OF SAND PorInT REEF.

_ Oysters caught per ab Estimated quantity
Sta- | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. cen oysters per acre. Character
fiom, |examina-| of cov- pane of oyster
tion. water. | ered. ae ~ growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.) Y°"°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. | Feet. |Sq.yds. _ | Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
48 | Mar. 6 4, Bal) Ie ates ES a 13 201 532 733 | Dense.
101 | Mar. 11 By G9) |e Ae eeOr |) aoees as 10 115] 219] 334 Do.
12 | Mar. 6 5.5| 1.99] 43.7| 42.2 4.1 29 | 1,031 99 | 1,130 Do. -
100 | Mar. 11 Gib) e820 | Py Oey 201k |e Oko, 15| 604 57| 661 Very. scat-
ering.
47 | Mar. 6 4.0} 1.99] 5.0 .0 .0 9 60 0 60 | Depleted.
98 | Mar. 11 BuO eo 12 | Oe Bist 0.5 12 212 13 | . 225 Do.

The areas of more scanty growth lie along the eastern margin of
the bed,. the dense growth being found in the parts contiguous to the
middle ground. The bottom over practically the entire bed is hard,
owing to the preponderance of sand. The oysters for Sand Point
Reef were, at the time of the survey, superior in shape and fatness to
those fn adjacent beds.

LUMPS NORTHEAST OF SAND POINT REEF.

There is a small lump of 5 acres about one-half mile to the north-
east of Sand Point Reef. One station was made which disclosed 23.6
counts and 24 shells per square yard. Between this lump and Sand
Point Reef the bottom is generally hard and affords more or less
scattered and irregular clusters rather close to the shore line, but does
not interfere with seining. There were formerly oysters of good
quality here, although they were never dense, but they have been
practically fished out.

A patch containing 67 acres of very scattering oysters is located
near the main reef off Sand Pomt. The bottom is hard sand and the
shells are more or less covered with yellow sponge.

The conditions on these unimportant patches are shown in the fol-
lowing table:

OystER GROWTH ON Lumps NorTHEAST OF SAND POINT REEF.

.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
Sages. || Tages. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense ge clings tose ee ee 5 662 611] 3,310| 3,055 6, 365
WG? KON Tee eeu edb ynw une boence -condseee 67 426 40| 28,542] 2680] 31,292

DISS ea irs 7s ah OR SN a a 72) le ample cane 31,852 | 5,735 | 37,587

2?

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 5}

Derarts oF EXAMINATION OF Lumps NORTHEAST OF SAND PoINntT REEF.

Estimated quantity

Oysters caught per Shell
St Date of | Depth | Area Square yard. = = oysters per acre. Character
ta lexamina-| of cov- Pp of oyster
tion.| “tion. | water. | ered. |7 Soa - growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts. yard. | Seed. Market. Total.
1913. |. Feet. |Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
94 | Mar. 11 4.0 1.99 31.1 23.6 23.6 24 662 611 1,273 | Dense.
OG) (22-00... 7.0 1.79 35.8 15.2 2.3 44 616 53 669 | Very scat-
; tering.
G74 |P22do.--. - 6.5 1. 82 22.0 17.6 1.1 40 236 28 264 Do.

MIDDLE GROUND REEF.

This lies at the entrance of Lavaca Bay and extends from near the
western shore line in a northerly direction for approximately 1f miles,
with an average width of about one-fourth mile. The upper half
of the reef broadens toward the east and merges with Sand Point
Reef, the arbitrary line of demarcation used in this report being the
strip of deep water running toward the northeast. The greatest
depth found in tonging on this reef was 84 feet at the extreme western
point and the least was 34 feet near the beacons. There are, however,
a number of depressions along the eastern border with a depth of
10 to 134 feet, and the dredged channel marked by beacons no. 1 and
no. 2 has a depth of 7 feet. The material dug from this channel was
thrown to the westward of the beacons and becomes exposed during
low tides. The extent and general condition of the bed are shown in
the following table:

OystER GRowTH ON MippLE GRouUND REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
: Seed. Market. | Total.

Under 3 | Over 3
inches. | inches.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
809 960 | 359,196 | 426,240 785, 436
ASTORDL ELS) cr 0a 5 eRe ia Pes a 2a te eg are 28 761 137 21,308 3, 836 25, 144

Roath ie eke Tk eines ey eho pee Crp) Nan eee ee] Geren ae 380,504 | 430,076 | 810,580

With the exception of a comparatively small area of scattering
oysters near the northeast margin of the bed adjoining Sand Point
Reef, the entire reef is covered with dense growth, which in some
places amounts to nearly 4,900 bushels per acre, about equally
divided between small and adults. It is not probable that this ex-
traordinary denseness of growth obtains over a very wide area, but
there are many places on which there are in excess of 2,500 bushels
per acre. Asis to be expected under such conditions, the oysters are
clustered and rough, and in quality they are generally inferior to

14 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

ee

those on the less densely populated Sand Point Reef. The bed was —
tonged through the season and the average tonger could take about:
barrels per day. ee .
A few drills were found and some specimens of the yellow boring
sponge. .
The following table shows the details of the examination of the bed:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF MIDDLE GROUND REEF.

Oysters caught per lL Estimated quantity
St Date of | Depth} Area square yard. ae = = oysters per acre. Character
fon, | Camina-} of Cove) wate hes tS oe a ee Le of oyster
mo tion. | water. | ered a a growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y%°- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush.'| Bush. | Bush

1 | Mar. 5 4.0 2. 65 31.6 17.7 23.0 8 578 555 | 1,133 | Dense

2p EeedOrs 5.0 1.59 18.3 17.6 17.6 8 430 428 85: (0)

13 | Mar. 5.5 1.99 53. 8 37.2 55.3 20 | 1,092 | 1,336 | 2,428 Do

14.|...do..... 6.0 1.39 10.8 17.3 12.3 8 338 299 637 Do

15h Sed oes 5.5 1.99 | 25.6 15.6 35.7 11 496 862 | 1,358 Do ‘

LOnleeedor = 5.9 1.99 | 31.2 31.6 40. 2 18 759 971 | 1,730 Do a

7e Seed Osene 5,5 1.99 | 33.2 32.2 69. 9 20 789 | 1,687 | 2,476 Do. 5

13 |222doe222 4.0 1.99 22.1 36. 2 38. 7 7 704 937 | 1,641 Do. fe

19 |...do.-... 5.0 1.59 34. 6 40.8 52.8 19 909 | 1,279 | 2,188 Do ‘

20 |...do- 4.0 1.99 23. 2 36. 7 51.8 7 722 | 1,254) 1,976 Do j

21 |...do - 5.6 1.59 28.9 48. 5 47,2 8 934 | 1,141 | 2,075 Do 3

22) |e -dol-e. 5.0 2.12 7.6 12.8 19.5 7 246 472 718 Do F

230\ heed Ozene. 6.0 1.86 21.5 22.1 27.1 5 526 657 | 1,188 Do ;

24 |...do_..-- 6.0 1. 86 20.4 19.9 30. 6 13 485 740 | 1,225 Do ‘

DTN Sed Oss. = 6.5 1.82 14.3 15. 4 19.8 8 359 478 837 Do

50 | Mar. 10 5.5 1.99 74.8 57.8 50.5 26 | 1,601 | 1,464 | 3,065 Do. :

83 | Mar. 11 6.5 4.17 6.0 Teo 5.8 6 163 150 313 Do

84 |..-do....- 6.0 5. 21 9.6 10.2 8.4 3 239 218 457 Do

85 |..-do..... 6.0 3. 91 21.0 12.3 20.5 7 402 530 932 Do.

86 |.--do-..-- 6.0 3. 91 15. 2 15. 4 20.5 13 371 530 901 Do

87 ;.--do-..-. 5.0 4, 41 16.1 19.8 38. 6 17 434 998 | 1,432 Do.

9052. dome. 4.5 1.56 3.8 17.3 21.2 15 255 550 805 Do

Ola eeedosese- 4.5 4.73 19.2 18.9 28.9 12 578 749 | 1,327 Do ,
102 | Mar. 13 5.0 5.90 | 101.0 84.5 53.8 12] 2,241 1,299 | 3,540 Do '
103 |..-do.-... 6.5 3.13 86.0} 105.0] 107.0 22) 2,312! 2,582 | 4,894 Do ie
104 |..-do--.... 5.5 4.17 70.5 79. 2 78.5 14] 1,805 | 1,893 | 3,698 Do :
105 |..-do-.-...- 6.0 3.90 | 108.5 74.7 72.5 9] 1,780 | 1,746 | 3,526 Do 3
106 |...do.-..-. 6.5 1.82 32.9 39.5 38. 4 12 874 927 | 1,801 Do :
107 |..-do..-.- 6.0 1.39 |- 51.7 56.1 60. 4 26 | 1,302 | 1,457 | 2,759 Do.

108 |..-do..--- 6.0 1.39 10.1 40.0 38.8 39 607 936 | 1,548 Do -
113 |...do.-... 5.5 1.99 12.1 17.1 16.1 14 353 389 742 Do
114 |...do..--. 4.5 1.79 61.9 75.9 75.9 42 | 1,669 | 1,830] 3,499 Do.
115 |...do..--- 8.5 2.00 14.0 14.5 15.0 30 344 362 706 Do.

11 | Mar. 6 5.5 2.12 43.0 35. 0 6. 2 28 937 149 | 1,086 | Scattering. :
109 | Mar. 13 7.0 1.79 3), 2 39. 6 5.6 _ 44 906 135 | 1,041 Do. f
12 eed Ozseae 7.0 1.79 16.7 19.7 5.0 25 440 128 568 Do. 5

4

OLD TOWN BED.

This bed, which is rudely triangular in shape, with the broader
end to the north, is located in the southern end of the bay near the
entrance. It 1s separated from the preceding bed by a channel about
11 to 12 feet deep. It is about 14 miles long by one-third mile |
wide, and including the small lump to the south contains approxi- ;
mately 342 acres. The depth on the. western side is from 4 to 43 ‘
feet, while the greatest depth, that of 64 to 74 feet, is along the north-
ern and eastern borders. |

The oysters of this bed are frequently covered to some extent with
yellow sponge, and they usually occur in large irregular clusters with
sharp edges. But few drills were observed.

“15

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

The quality of the oysters is not as good as that of the near-by
Middle Ground Reef, and the bed was not being worked during the
survey. The bed is composed entirely of dense growth, as shown in
the following tables:

OystER GROWTH ON OLD Town BEeEp.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.
Character of oyster growth. Area. et 5
nder ver
Tighes. || Haeice. Seed. Market. | Total.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
Tg io Se eee ne es et a 328 683 943 | 224,024 | 309,304] 533,328
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF OLD Town BeEp.
Oysters caught per Shell: Estimated quantity
Sta- | Date of | Depth) Area square yard. ee oysters per acre. Character
tion. | ©*2mina- of cov- x ee of oyster
‘| tion water. | ered. Se growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) Y8°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913 Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
25 | Mar. 6 5.5 1.99 37.2 27.6 30.2 32 782 729 | 1,511 | Dense.
De |\e-6le-se) Wa |) aS y ArAGF |) BG | ecg 20 871 | 1,172] 2,043 Do.
57 | Mar. 10 7.5 1.34 48.4 21.6 40.9 14 845 1,060} 1,905 Do.
BRN Close sad 7.5 1.34 23.8 15.6 24.5 13 250 642 892 Do.
60 |..-do..... 8.0 1.34 40.0 20.4 40.1 15 476 | 1,038] 1,514 Do.
61 |...do..-.. 7.0| 1.34] 70.1] 46.8] 60.8 30 | 1,412] 1,576] 2,988 Do.
79 | Mar. 11 7.0 3.13 26. 2 15.0 17.6 7 498 456 954 Do.
81 |..-do..... 6.5 3.13 20.5 13.4 21.8 16 409 564 971 Do.
88 |...do..... 6.5 3.13 25.0 19.8 26.8 22 542 694 | 1,236 Do.
89 |..-do.-.-- 6.0 3.91 60.8 20.5 60.8 23 981 1,575 | 2,556 Do.
117.| Mar. 13 7.0 2.34 28.5 42.1 42.1 24 856 | 1,020] 1,876 Do.
165 | Mar. 18 7.0 1.79 11.2 12.3 33.0 11 284 796 | 1,080 Do.
LUMP SOUTH OF OLD TOWN BED.

This small lump, which is about 125 yards south of Old Town Bed
and 50 yards from the west shore, contains 14 acres. ‘Two stations
were made, each showing a dense growth of clustered oysters, which
were more or less covered with yellow sponge. ‘The bottom was hard
and the depth of water from 34 to 5 feet. No work was being con-
ducted on this lump during the survey. The following tables suffi-
ciently indicate its character:

OYSTER GROWTH ON LuMP SoutH or OLD Town BEb.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.
Character of oyster growth. Area, seri aN apie
nder ver
AatnGs, |) SEOs. Seed. | Market. | Total.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
WD Erisch eee ea irae MSS ta gee Megs oy | 14 499 665 6, 986 9,310] 16,296

66341°—15——3

16 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

DeTarts oF EXAMINATION OF Lumps SoutH oF OLD Town BEp. —

Oysters caught per Ul Estimated quantity 5 ie

Sta. | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. ee S| oysters per acre. Chance

ton, |examina-| of cov- re ofoyster
ion.| tion. | water. | ered. a growth. —

Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y@4: | geed. [Market.| Total.

19138. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. |
92 | Mar. 11 7.0 2.35 18. 4 21.0 30.8 10 477 793 1,270 | Dense.
118 | Mar. 13 5.5 4.17 19.7 23.3 22.3 11 521 538 | 1,059 Do.

A small lump, covering about 13 acres, lies about a quarter of a mile
northwest of this bed, but although its position was determined no
examination of the oysters was made.

BED NORTH OF MIDDLE GROUND REEF. i ne

This bed, which has no local name, lies but a short distance to the :
north of Middle Ground Reef and is approximately 1 mile in length :
by one-fifth of a mile wide. It is not fished much for the market, as —
the stock is poor and largely of the sharp-edged long snapper or
raccoon type, which occurs in scattering clusters more or less covered
with yellow sponge. The average depth of water is about 64% feet.
The bottom varies from almost an ooze to rather hard mud and con-
tains many buried shells. During the last two or three years a new
growth has developed on old, partly buried shells south of the middle
of the bed. The growth is all rated as dense, and its general condition
is shown in the following tables:

OysteER GRowTH on Bep Norts or Mippnze GRrounp REEr.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over3

Sagres. || andres. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
TOMS Oss ae le ay A i pi AE een 1738 410 431 70, 930 74, 563 145, 493

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Brep Nort or MippLeE GROUND REEF.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity - '
Date of | Depth | Area square yard. shells oysters per acre. Character f
Sta- |examina-| of Cea Mabie Reet eNO ARS, lot of oyster .
tion.| tion. | water. | ered. aaa growth. .
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) Y°°: | Seed. |Market.| Total. ;
1913. | Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. :
9| Mar. 5 6.5 1.37 14.6 9.5 11.7 1 289 282 571 | Dense.
55 | Mar. 10 6.5 1.37 43.8 18.3 27.6 15 750 715 | 1,465 Do.
71 |...do 7.5 1.34 37.2 16.7 36. 4 10 651 944 1,595 Do.
132 | Mar. 17 7.5 1.79 16.2 13.9 8.9 7 364 215 579 Do.
124 | Mar. 14 VsONseenca-2 .0 0 .0 0 0 0 0 Do.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 17

KELLERS BED.

Kellers Bed begins at the shoal water off Rhodes Point and
extends southeastward for 3 miles. At its upper end it is half a mile
in width, which gradually broadens to a mile near the center, then
narrows rather suddenly to about 300 yards for the rest of its length.

Disregarding the shallow water off Rhodes Point, varying from
1 foot to 24 feet, and the water immediately south of the point,
ranging from 3 to 34 feet, the average depth of water on the bed
approximates 64 feet.

The bottom is composed generally of hard mud, although four

stations made at points along the eastern and southern edges re-
vealed a barren bottom of stiff mud 5 to 8 inches deep, and at three
tonging stations the bottom was found to be ooze.
_ The oysters occur in large, sharp-edged clusters and are generally
“snappers” of poor quality, although at some stations well shaped
but watery. Oysters were found on the southern end of the bed,
which is depleted, the bottom being hard and covered with scattering
dead shells on which were but fewspats. The bed is not fished much
except at the southern end, where, especially during the past two or
three years, oysters have grown on shells thrown overboard by boats
passing from Sand Point to Kellers Bay. This same condition
applies to all parts of the bay, especially the lower end. The general
conditions on the bed are shown in the following tables:

OYSTER GROWTH ON KELLERS BED.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over 3 :
feaage. | Sadiaes. Seed: Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

HW GTISG Cae Wee Seca ee cis eels nate ce ne ee oes 1,276 312 426 | 397,800 | 543,150) 940,950
ep lobed arene sere tenia sei Seneca eats 12 65 0 (hb) pohadooaes 780
Oba lees seme ele sais cine ee aaa CYT ea ae a 398,580 | 543,150} 941,730

a4No stations were made on the shoro skirting south of Rhodes Point.

18 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

DetTaIts oF EXAMINATION OF KELLERS BED.

Oysters caught per hell. Estimated quantity

Sin. Date of | Depth] Area square yard. s a oysters per acre.
Rion examina- of cov- re

‘| tion. | water. | ered. Lee

Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y°"°: | Seed. Market.) Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush j

6| Mar. 5 7.0 1.79 23.5 10.6 22.9 26 408 55 961 | Dense

A Ns 8ClOusans 7.0 1.34 10.4 8.9 11.2 13 256 272

Suietedoutces 7.0 1.34 17.2 11.9 9.7 11 349 234 583

39 | Mar. 6 7.5 1.79 5. 6- 6.1 27.9 22 141 674 815

30 |..-do-..... SsON Seka we .0 .0 -0 0 0 0

53 | Mar. 10 8.0 1.34 17.8 13.4 32.7 12 375 847 | 1,222

65 |...do..... 8.0 1.34 45.4 30.5 64. 6 28 934 | 1,672] 2,606

68 |...do..... 7.5 1.34 27.0 14:6 24.8 16 503 643 | 1,146

69 |...do..... 7.5 1.34 27.0 18.8 28.4 15 554 734 | 1,288

125 ; Mar. 14 8.0 1.79 24.0 16.2 26.8 26 485 646 | 1,131

19622 4d0eee=: SAC Eoceoeee .0 -0 -0 0 0

134 | Mar. 17 7.0 1,79 15.1 10.0 28. 2 11 303 683 986

136 |..-do..... 6.5 1. 82 14.3 14.3 17.0 19 346 410 756

137 |...do..... 7.0 1.79 17.9 9.5 24.0 19 332 577 909

148 |...do..... 7.5 1.79 16.2 12.9 24.0 18 352 579 931

149 |...do..... TAO ee eee -0 -0 -0 0 0 0

TH? | 5 lo 4 = 3.5 2.92 12.0 8.8 15.4 6 251 372 623

424| May 7 7.5 1.79 9.8 21.8 19.0 33 382 458 840

425 |...do..... 7.5 ib Z 11.7 15.1 19.5 33 324 471 795

426 |>..do..... 6.5 1. 82 11.0 20.9 12.6 27 385 305 690

CO Ne 5 Oe 6.0 1.85 4.8 8.6 10.2 9 185 246 431

151 | May 17 Wao ogcease .0 -0 -0 0 0 9 0 De.
45 | Mar. 6 6.0 -93 5.4 .0 .0 18 65 0 65 | Depleted. |

There is a fringe of oysters occurring more or less regularly along
the shore from the outer part of Rhodes Point eastward for about
a mile. No stations were made here. A similar skirting is found
along the shore north of Cox Bay, and also to the west of Lavaca
River. .

There is a small patch 90 by 300 yards to the southeast of the main
bed with rather hard bottom and scattering clusters in about 64
feet of water. The area of the patch is about 7 acres, and it is
estimated to bear 4,018 bushels of small and 3,444 bushels of market
oysters—an average of 574 and 492 bushels per acre, respectively.
Some of the shells are more or less covered with a growth of yellow
sponge. The oysters are about equal in quality to those of the
main bed.

RHODES POINT REEF.

This is a sickle-shaped bed extending from the end of Rhodes Point
to the middle of the bay, with a total length of about 3 miles and an
average width of somewhat less than one-half mile. The bottom is
generally hard with the exception of a few limited areas near the end.
The extent and general character of the oyster growth is shown in the
following table:

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 19

_ OystEeR GRowtH oN RHODES PoInT REEF. p

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
‘inches. inches. Seed. Market. Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

NDONISOCs ss eee ke Sees wea tS. 098 366 565 | 400,038 | 617,545 | 1,017,583
SCHULONIN OES 8. Sanne cecil sae cisinleia’s c oo sslcials 121 103 87 12, 463 10,527 12,990
Very scattering... .:.......-..2-2.2.252-2505 3 12 53 36 159 195

TNO Bae moe san ee Hee ee ae ene LPN, |eeeoooe ee Lee ae 412,537 | 628,231 | 1,030,768

a Including a 9-acre detached patch.

With the exception of a scattering growth near the middle of the
northern edge of the bed, and a very small patch of very scattering
oysters, the entire bed is covered by a dense growth on which there is
an average of over 500 bushels of Jarge oysters per acre and a maxi-
mum of over 1,200 bushels. There is an abundance of small oysters,
but both large and small are in commingled clusters and of poor
quality. Mussels were found on the southern part of the reef and
there is an abundance of yellow sponge.

The details of the examination of this reef are shown in the following
table:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF RHODES Point REEF.

Oysters caught per Shells Estimated quantity
Sta- | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. fe oysters per acre. Character
tion,| @Xamina-| of COv- ‘ re of oyster
‘| tion. | water. | ered. ae d growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) Y°°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913 Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.

146 | Mar. 17 6.0 1. 86 15.7 19.4 40.0 11 425 965 | 1,390 | Dense.
147 |...do..... 5.5 1.99 26. 2 24.6 48.3 26 614} 1,175} 1,789 Do.
153 |...do....- 5.5 1.99 17.6 27.6 40.0 10 546 966 | 1,512 Do.
154 |...do..... 6.5 1. 82 29.6 36. 8 50. 5 17 803 | 1,228} 2,031 Do.
155 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 4.5 17.9 20.8 8 272 503 775 Do.
160 |...do-..... 8.0 1.79 13.4 16.8 35. 8 20 365 865 | 1,230 Do.
161 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 21.8 15.1 25.2 6 506 609 |} 1,115 Do.
163 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 7.8 14.5 41.8 15 269 | 1,010} 1,279 Do.
168 | Mar. 18 8.0 1.79 11.2 10.6 27.4 17 264 661 925 Do.
170 |...do..... 6.0 1. 86 25.9 17.7 24.3 11 527 586 | 1,113 Do.
eee dOben=- 5.5 1.99 25.6 4.0 7.0 5 358 169 527 Do.
179 | Mar. 27 6.0 1. 85 30.2 19.9 15.6 12 606 376 982 Do.
211 | Mar. 28 7.5 1.79 3.3 10.0 10.0 6 163 242 405 Do.
255 | Apr. 1 8.0 1.79 11.2 6.1 15.1 8 204 364 568 Do.
256 |...do..... 7.5 1.79 12.3 14.5 12.3 18 323 297 620 Do.
257 |...do..... 7.5 1.79 12.8 5.6 9.5 7 222 247 469 Do.
260 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 14.5 15.0 16.8 9 356 405 761 Do
261 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 14.5 12.3 24.5 7 323 592 915 Do
262 |...do-..... 8.0 1.79 22.3 13.4 11.2 30 431 270 701 Do
263 |...do....- 8.0 1.79 9.5 1.2 10.6 9 250 258 508 Do
264 |...do..... 8.0 1.79 12.3 12.8 | 20.6 7 304 496 800 Do
428 | May 7 4.5 1.79 21.8 34. 6 40.7 13 680 986 | 1,666 Do
460 | May 10 8.0 1.79 7.2 4.4 8.9 1 140 214 354 Do,
461 |...do..... 7.5 1.79 2.8 11.2 24.6 9 169 594 763 Do
464 |...do..... 6.5 1. 82 16.5 16.5 25.8 21 399 624 | 1,023 Do.
176 | Mar. 27 TOU eee nee .0 -0 0 0 0 0 0 Do.
462 | May 10 8.0 1.79 9.5 10.6 10.0 7 142 142 284. | Seattering.
463 |...do..--.. 8.5 1.79 5.6 8.3 5.0 9 168 121 289 Do.
162 | Mar. 17 (HG) Saeeened -0 -0 -0 0 0 0 0 Do.

20 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

COX BED.

Cox Bed lies in and off the entrance to Cox Bay, and, like Rhodes
Point Reef and Kellers Bed, with which it is continuous, it begins at
Rhodes Point, extending north for about a mile and a half, and = a
width of approximately the same distance.

On the southern part of the bed at Rhodes Point the depth is from
1 foot to 34 feet, but the remainder, with few exceptions, has a uniform
depth of about 6 feet.

The bottom is generally hard and covered by a dense growth of
from about 250 to 550 bushels of market oysters per acre. These
occur in scattered clusters and are of poor quality.

The character of the oyster growth is shown in summary and detail
in the following tables:

OvsTER GROWTH ON Cox BED.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
faghes. | aagines. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
D GniSOS See Ses See ee Sons ee OC en OR 1,177 364 358 | 428,428 | 421,366 | 849,794

DErarLs oF EXAMINATION oF Cox BED.

Oysters caught per Shell Estimated quantity
Sta- Date of | Depth} Area square yard. Be S oysters per acre. Character
tion, | CXamina-| of cov- tae of oyster
tion. | water. | ered. oe Al growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y°"°- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush
184 | Mar. 27 6.0 1, 85 9.7 16.3 10.2 31 314 246 0 | Dense
185 |...do..... 6.5 1. 82 26.9 15.1 14.5 6 507 350 857 Do
186 |...do..... 7.0 1.79 26.8 19.0 19.0 24 554} 458] 1,012 Do
214 | Mar. 28 6.0 1.85 22.6 28.5 22.6 20 616 545 | 1,161 Do
215 |...do..... 6.0 1. 85 21.2 18.9 19.9 8 485 480 965 Do
216 |...do..... 6.0 1.85 6.5 7.5 11.8 8 159 285 444 Do
PA EGO (0)ac soe 7.5 1.79 10.6 12.8 20.9 10 283 505 788 Do

Several small lumps east of this bed show oyster growths as follows:

OysTER GRowTH oN Lumps Hast or Cox BEp.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. _ Area.

Under 3 | Over 3 E
inches, | inches. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense vcl ee ho. 5h ie Rae bh Oka a) eet 3 493 572 | 1,269| 1, 716 2, 985
Scattering cro: ceo eocge.. Mek acl penne 31 267 120| 8 277| 3,720] 11,997
MB Galas = acute a or en eas EVO egestas 9,546| 5,436] 14,982

a Including a 3-acre patch west of main reef.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. mah

GALLINIPPER REEF.

This lies immediately adjacent to Gallinipper Point, from which it
extends northward to the dredged channel, marked by beacons no. 3
andno.4. Itissomewhat circular in outline, with a diameter of three-
fourths of a mile. The eastern portion is covered by 4 feet or less of
water, the reef rising rather abruptly 2 feet or more above the general
level of the surrounding barren bottom. From the crest of this ridge
it slopes westward to the general level of the bottom.

The general conditions on the bed are shown in the following table:

OysteR GROWTH ON GALLINIPPER REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
- Under 3 | Over 3

icine. | hadies. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

[Worseeeean watieien ear aes Ul aude 329 766 586 | 252,014 | 192,794 | 444, 808
SC HUCORIMN SHEN e tn Nua e wee Geb os ec iels ale 32 231 145 7,392 4, 640 12, 032
ORV Re Lo aN A Se a ea S6lG Beant mseeyenean 259,406 | 197,434 | 456,840

a Including a 3-acre patch west of main reef.

The oysters occur generally in clusters and are of rather poor shape
but fair flavor. The reef has not been fished for the market to any
extent in recent years, although it produces oysters of fair quality
for shucking. Tongers can take but four or five barrels per day,
owing to the time consumed in culling. It is understood that
oysters from this bed have been used to some extent for seed. There
are a few mussels and many barnacles and the yellow sponge is rather
common. The details of the examination of this bed are shown in
the following table:

DETAILS OF HXAMINATION OF GALLINIPPER REEF.

Oysters caught per Shell Estimated quantity
Sta- Date of | Depth | Area square yard. eg S oysters per acre. Character
ticn, |examina-| of Cov- peel of oyster
tion. | water. | ered. owed growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts. yara- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913 Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.

158 | Mar. 17 7.5 1.79 7.8 15.9 26.8 8 286 646 932 | Dense.
201 | Mar. 23 6.5 1.82 30.1 24.1 24.6 9 654 593 | 1,247 Do.
202 |..-do..... 6.5 1.99 34.1 21.6 34.1 10 673 821 | 1,494 Do.
2030 |e-ndGhees 5.5 2.12 34.8 46.7 67.0 10 987 | 1,615] 2,602 Do.
265} Apr. 5 7.0 1.79 20.6 39.7 10.6 18 729 258 987 Do.
266 |..-do-..-. 7.0 1.79 28.1 34.1 15.1 15 750 364 | 1,114 Do.
267 |...do....- 5.0 2.12 28.3 36.8 20.7 6 784 500} 1,284 Do.
268 |..-do-...-- 5.0 2.12 32.1 38.7 20.8 15 856 500} 1,356 Do.
269 |...do.-..- 5.0 1.59 59.8 82.4 42.1 24) 1,719} 1,016) 2,735 Do.
311 | Apr. 14 5.5 1.99 28.6 35.2 31.6 13 580 762 | 1,342 Do.
Bl) | pea Oeeene 5.5 1.49 65.7 52.4 36.2 13] 1,061 874 | 1,935 Do.
313 |..-do...-- 5.5 1.49 94.0 57.7 21.4 15 | 1,375 508 | 1,883 Do.
314 dole: 7.0 1.79 9.5 19.0 8.4 4 258 185 443 Do.
315 do..... 7.0 1.79 38.5 18.5 14.5 14 517 350 867 Do.
317 do..... 5.0 1.59 64.7 50.3 16.3 15| 1,043 394 | 1,437 Do.
316 |...do..--. 6.5 1.82 10.9 13.6 6.0 ye || Bil 145 376 | Scattering .

22 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

To the east of Gallinipper Point there is a small lump which covers

about 55 acres and is one-half mile long by 200 yards wide. It is’

but slightly raised above the general bottom level of the bay, except-
ing the central and southern portions, which have about 1 foot ele-
vation. Depth of water is 6 to 7 feet.

The quality of the oysters is about equal to that of those found on

the near-by reef, and there is an average of about 257 bushels per acre.

There are in this immediate vicinity three small patches, which
were located by the chain, but the character of the oyster growth
was not determined. The area of these patches will total 34 acres.

MITCHELL POINT REEF.

This and Gallinipper Reef form practically one continuous body
of oysters and extend almost the entire distance across the bay from
Point Comfort to Gallinipper Point. The separation of the two
reefs at the channel near beacons no. 3 and no. 4 is arbitrary, as
there is no interruption of oyster growth and but little essential
difference in the character of the oysters and of the bottom.

The reef runs in a north and south direction and has a length of

3 miles with an average width of 500 yards. At the northern

extremity the depth of water varies from 2 to 34 feet, and on a narrow —

ridge a mile long, in the center, the depth is from 2 to 4 feet. The
average depth for the remainder is about 6 feet. The entire reef is
elevated approximately 1 foot above the level of the bay.

The oysters consist largely of clusters, with some singles. It is
fished more for planting purposes than for the market, excepting at
the northern border, where some good marketable oysters were taken.
The reef has never been depleted, excepting a small portion on the
northeast side.

At most of the stations from 1 to 6 mussels were found, and near
the center of the reef from 25 to 55 barnacles were noted at the tong-
ing stations.

The general conditions on this bed are shown in the following
tables:

OysTtER GRowtTH ON MitcHELL Point REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. _ | Area.

Under 3 | Over3
Cagis, || HAdaeS. Seed. Market. | Total.

AGE: Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
53 9 3

Denser ay ceed. 5. eee cient aneenes ace eres 98 737 | 520,956} 392,084 913, 040
Scattering... kt fod. elec EO eee 39 84 127 3, 276 4,958 8, 229
Very scattering......-.-.-- apeeta ce ykcle dete sta 19 205 48 3, 895 912 4, 807

Motel tast)): ee Ob See er een BOD) | ecco eee ee 528,127| 397,949 | 926,076

es Ss es

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 23

DerTarts OF EXAMINATION OF MitcHELL Point REEF.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

Sta- Date of | Depth | Area Square yard. pulls oysters per acre. Character
tion. |°x2mina-|_ of COV = | eR ere nas Remeeae ee Sale A Sy es Of Oyster
| tion. | water. | ered. on d growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.| Y°°*: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush
166 | Mar. 18 5.5 1.99 55. 2 42.2 49.7 12} 1,177] 1,204) 2,381 | Dense
174 | Mar. 27 5.0 2.12 50.9 41.5 28.3 11 163 684 847 Do
175) 2=-00..--- 5.0 2.12 | 109.8 66.1 35.8 18} 2,120 864 | 2,984 Do
190 |...do.-.--.. 5.0 1.59 81.6 48.4 34.6 19 | 1,565 836 | 2,401 Do
210 | Mar. 28 4.0 2.65 34.7 35.9 35.9 9 852 866 | 1,718 Do
220 |...do.--.. 5.5 1.99 45.6 18.1 47.7 2d 772 | 1,151 | 1,928 Do
232 | Mar. 29 3.0 2.39 34.7 51.2 47.3 12) 1,038] 1,140] 2,178 Do
258} Apr. 1 6.0 1.85 38.1 25.4 32.8 8 751 791 | 1,542 Do
306) Apr. 14 6.5 1.82 31.8 25.9 7.7 12 525 186 711 Do
307 |.--do...-. 6.0 1.86 40.8 48.4 20.2 15 809 487 | 1,296 Do
308 |.--do-.-... 5.0 2.12 68. 4 66.9 69.8 32 | 1,240] 1,688] 2,928 Do
309 |.-.do.--.. 6.0 1.86 41.4 33. 4 16.7 9 68 404 | 1,084 Do
310 |.-.do--... 7.0 1.79 37.4 32.4 10.1 7 634 244 878 Do
319 |...do.-.... 5.0 2.12 23.1 12.3 11.7 19 321 282 603 Do
320 |.--do..... 3.5 2.19 79.0 42.5 38. 8 7] 1,103 936 | 2,039 Do
321 | Apr. 15 6.0 1.86 10.2 12.9 8.6 6 279 208 487 Do
337775) | ees Cae 4.0 2.65 93.2 34.6 29.3 13} 1,544 708 | 2,252 Do
323 |.--d0-.... 4.5 2.39 87.1 74.1 40.5 25] 1,958 979 | 2,937 Do
324 |.-.do..... 5.0 2.12 49.5 18.9 25.5 14 826 616 | 1,442 Do. °
320 |..-d0.-.-. 3.5 2.92 82.1 31.7 23.9 8 | 1,686 577 | 2,263 Do
326 |...do--.-. 4.5 2.39 46.4 28.1 25.9 17 915 625 | 1,540 Do.
191 | Mar. 27 7.0 1.79 6.1 5.6 6.1 2 137 147 284 | Scattering.
228 | Mar. 29 6.5 1.82 -0 2.7 4.4 8 32 107 139 Do.
318 | Apr. 14 5.5 1.99 10.0 12.1 2.0 10 205 48 253 vee seat-
: ering.

Between Mitchell Point Reef and the entrance to Chocolate Bay
hes a small lump, 150 yards by 300 yards in extent. The oysters of
this lump are of poor quality, clustered, and of the snapper type;
they are not fished for market.

POINT COMFORT BEDS. .

Within the limits of these beds, which lie one-half mile northwest
of Point Comfort, there are six lumps, one large and five small ones.
The largest is roughly heart-shaped and is about one-third mile by
one-half mile in extent, while the others are small irregular patches.

On the large lump two stations were made, both of which showed
comparatively soft bottoms. At one station the oysters were scat-
tering and on black shells in soft mud; at the other there were large
irregular clusters. A station made on the small lump north of the
largest revealed a soft bottom and shells burrowed by the little bor-
ing clam Martesia. There were many mussels and also some barna-
cles and yellow sponge. The oysters of these beds are of new growth
and have not been fished for the market.

The remaining four lumps, comprising 24 acres, were located and
have been plotted on the chart, but the character and quality of the
oysters were undetermined. The following tables furnish further data
of a general character.

24 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

OystER GrRowTH ON Point Comrort BEDs.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over3

inches. | inches. Seed. Market. eile

se Oe ef

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense! Wee (ee te be 116 358 14| 41,528 | 21,344] 62,872
Scattering ¢ ils. 4 6.327 SG eae 10 302 127| 3,020| 1,270 4,
Motel. 23 05 A ee 196 |.: cone eee Oe 44,548 | 22,614| 67,162

~ a An adjacent lump.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Point Comrort BEDs.

Oysters caught per i" Estimated quantity
Sta. | Dateof | Depth| Area “square yard. obey = oysters per acre. Character
ti a | examina-| of CON ial Ee Se a fe ss of oyster
10n./ “tion. | water. | ered aa growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y°"°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.

1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
284 | Apr. 12 5.0 2.12 32.1 11.8 8.5 ll 398 186 584 | Dense.
459 | May 9 6.0 1.86 1.6 24.7 7.5 14 318 183 501 Do. '
285 | Apr. 12 4.0 2.65 15.5 17.8 6.0 3 302 127 429 Scattering.

LAP REEF.

Lap and Chicken Reefs together stretch almost entirely across the
constricted portion of the upper bay, off Nobles Point, and form
practically a line of demarcation in the character and quality of the
oysters of the lower and upper parts of the bay. The two reefs are
separated by a narrow channel from 7 to 9 feet deep, bearing the local
name of ‘‘ Hole in the Wall.” 4

Lap Reef begins 200 yards off Nobles Point and reaches to the north-
ward fora mile anda quarter. Itreachesits maximum width of about
800 yards at the northern extremity and gradually tapers to a point
at the southern end.

On the eastern half of the reef the depth of water ranges from 14
to 4 feet, several feet less than the adjacent barren bottom. The
depth on the southern and western parts ranges from 34 to 6 feet,
being about equal to that of the surrounding bottom of the bay. The
oysters occur as singles and in small clusters and generally are of
excellent flavor; some were used as shell stock in 1912. This reef has
been fished for the last seven or eight years, and will now yield about
4 barrels per day. It has never been depleted.

There are many mussels and some. barnacles on this reef. The
general extent and condition of the bed are shown in the following
table:

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 25

OystER GROWTH ON Lap REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
a Faire. |jansasee Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense......----- ..| 194 576 333 | 111,744] 64,602] 176,346
SGPHIGHINEE: Te sooscs dee see base e eepe sr = a||5e 0b Sees Seehe POSSceeNes SoC en anaes] Ate seein ares
Very scattering. - a 14 376 73 5, 164 1, 022 6, 186
DS db Skee crabs seeeelee ae Gaerne ne 33 99 3 3, 267 $9 3, 366
Total etetee se ere ee are sos ole dcayiss 2 ae eed ae Oe 120, 175 65, 723 185, 898 -
@ Counted in with dense.
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF LAP REEF.
Oysters caught per Shell Estimated quantity
Date of | Depth | Area square yard. aa oysters per acre. Character
tien examina-| of COWS ipa sae ee of oyster
jon.) “tion. | water. | ered. ae growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) YC: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
292 | Apr. 12 4.0 2. 65 63. 7 12.1 16.5 6 688 |. 352 | 1,040 | Dense.
327 ye 15 5.5 1.99 28.1 25.1 8.0 2 642 231 873 Do
417 ay 6 6.5 1. 82 30. 9 42.7 14.8 12 891 357 | 1,248 Do
419 |...do....- 5.5 1.99 6.5 12.6 19.1 3 253 462 715 Do
420 |...do..... 5.0 2.12 15.6 24.5 12.7 16 484 307 791 Do
421 |...do..... 4.5 2.39 34.8 23.4 23.0 18 702 556 | 1, 258 Do.
422 |._..do....-. 4,5 2.39 16.3 9.6 10.8 4 312 261 573 Do.
297 | Apr. 12 3.5 2.92 45.5 25.0]. 6.5 3 640 138 778 | Scattering.
296 |...do....- 3.5 2.92 32.9 8.5 3.4 10 376 73 449 Rey. seat-
ering.
418 | May 6 6.5 1.82 5 14.6 .0 20 82) eee ae 182 | Depleted.
423 |...do..... 4.5 2.39 .0 9.6 4 4 116 10 126 Do.
293 | Apr. 12 CON Reses sae 0 -0 -0 0 0 0 0 Do.

CHICKEN REEF.

This begins at the channel—the ‘“‘ Hole in the Wall”—from which”
it extends in an easterly direction to the shoal water of a projecting
point of the east shore. The reef is long, narrow, and with a slight
dip southward near the center. The length is approximately 14
miles, while the average width is about 200 yards.

The depth of water varies from 1 foot to 5 feet, averaging about 3
feet; there are two narrow ridges, one at the western and the other
at the eastern extremity, which are awash at low tide. Other than
at the eastern limit, where the depths on and near the bed are prac-
tically the same and do not exceed 34 or 4 feet, this reef is markedly
shoaler than the surrounding parts of the bay. Like all such ele-
vated reefs, its mass is composed of compacted shells and débris, the
accumulation of many years of existence.

The character of these oysters is about the same as those of Lap
Reef. On the top of the reef there were fine white shells, and some
excellent oysters in the guts near shore, but they have been prac-
tically fished out.

26 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX,

Oyster GROWTH ON CHICKEN KEEF.

“Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
caginss,. |PanGiics, Seed. | Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

DENS 52 .Socet ete nee seeitis ane ese pee Cee 88 305 252 26, 840 22,176 49, 016
Scattering. 5. 3.2 <6 33855 s-5o theese eee ae 40 252 110 10, 080 4, 400 14, 480
Wiery- Scattering). /.. iconic see ee eee 20 82 49 1, 640 980 2, 620
Depleted? 2 fesse 6b este ieee eee eee 12 22 5 264 60 324

Totalve se... Sh Ohh s Peace 160 5th eee 38,824 | £7,616 | 66,440

DEtTarLs oF EXAMINATION OF CHICKEN REEF.

Estimated quantity

Oysters caught per 11
Sta. | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. shes oysters per acre. Character
i 4- |examina-| of cov- Pp ae of oyster
100. t¢ion. | water. | ered. poe 4 growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y: | Seed. [Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
449 | May 3.5 2.92 18.3 16.8 6.5 10 424 154 578 | Dense
450 |---d0....- 4.5 2.39 15.1 13. 4 12.5 4 344 302 646 Do
451 do....- 6.0 1. 86 4.8 7.5 12. 4 11 148 300 448 Do.
452 do....- 4.0 2. 66 7.2 23.7 3.8 6 373 91 464 | Scattering.
453 |..-d0..... 3.5 2.92 10.3 15. 4 5.8 13 310 140 450 Do.
457 |..-do. 3.5 2.92 .0 6.2 4.1 3 75 99 174 Do.
448 |...do..-.. 4.5 2.39 2.9 5.4 2.5 10 100 61 161 | Very scate }
tering.
454 |...do....- 4.5 2.39 1.6 3.8 1.6 2 65 38 103 |. Do.
455 do..... 4.0 2. 66 -0 3.8 4 9 44 OM eae cene Depleted.
456 |...do..... 3.5 2. 92 -0 .0 0 0 0 UD mesos Do.

North of the barrier of these cross reefs the salinity of the water is
reduced and the mussels become more numerous and, contrary to the
accepted view that barnacles occur more frequently in waters of
higher salinity, the reverse was found to be true in Lavaca Bay.

There is a small patch one-half mile north of the western extremity

of Chicken Reef. It is practically circular in outline, having a diame- —

ter of 175 yards. Depth of water 5 feet. An examination showed an
average of about 323 bushels of market oysters and 253 bushels of
small ones per acre, the area of the patch being about 8 acres.

BEDS NORTHWEST OF LAP REEF.

About three-quarters of a mile northwest of Lap Reef there are
three beds, two of which are small, varying from 250 to 350 yards in
length, while the third is about fhrgecor ibs of a mile long, and
narrow, excepting near the northern margin, where it broadens to a
width of 500 yards.

The depth of water ranges from 4 to 54 feet and the beds are but

little elevated above the adjacent bottom. The patch nearest to the ©

west shore bears scattering clusters of large oysters of the snapper
type, with some mussels and barnacles, and the second lump showed

ae ae

on Par

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. Pat

a better growth of oysters, but twice the number of mussels and
-barnacles. On the large patch five stations were made, showing
oysters, together with a large number of mussels and barnacles. At
two of these stations on the widest part of the patch the bottom was
rather soft, and some of the shells were black, having been taken from
below the surface. This bed is fished but little and consequently not
much is known about it. It will probably not yield more than 4 or 5
barrels per man per day.
Three additional beds of 44 acres were located in the vicinity of the
large patch, but no investigations were made on them.
The following tables exhibit the results of the examination of these
beds:

OysteR GRrowTH on Beps NortHwest or Lar REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over3 Seed

Sarnes.. || Hielnas. Market. Total.

_| Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
79 328

SI OTISC Maes foe eet ee ke oe ae 295 25, 912 23, 305 49, 217
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF BEDS NorTHWEST or LAP REEF.
Oysters caught per Shell Estimated quantity
Sta. | Date of | Depth} Area square yard. ee © oysters per acre. Character
ti * |examina- of cov- s ie SHO of oyster
on-| tion. | water.| ered. aa growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y°°°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913 Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
298 | Apr. 12 5.0 2.12 5.2 8.0 loth 7 129 152 281 | Dense
411 | Apr. 29 6.0 1.86 23.6 31.7 22.6 25 668 546 | 1,214 (0)
412 |...do....- 5.5 1.99 4.0 3.0 12.6 9 85 305 0 Do
413 |...do..... 6.5 1. 82 18.1 12.1 9.3 5 374 224 598 Do
414 |...do..... 6.5 1. 82 18.7 20.9 | 14.3 21 478 344 822 Do
415 |...do..... 6.0 1.86 16.6 30. 0 20.2 8 563 486 | 1,049 Do

CHAIN BEDS.

These beds, 12 in number, lie off Signal Bay and, with one excep-
tion, are small isolated patches, none of which have a local name.
The depth varies from 34 to 5 feet with an elevation of from one-half
to 1 foot above the surrounding bottom. Four beds were examined.
The largest of the series has a length of 1 mile and a width of 350
yards, and on this five stations were made. ‘The southern end showed
about 24 counts, 14 culls, 41 spat, and 90 mussels per square yard;
near the center of the bed the bottom was rather soft, with some
mussels, barnacles, and buried shells along with the oysters; at the
northern end there were about 7 counts, 8 culls, and 4 spat per square
yard, also some buried shells. This bed is fished but little, although
the oysters are of fair flavor. The first small lump of 6 acres north of

Ww ee ale

28 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

the large patch produced mostly singles, rather small, but of extra
fine shape and good quality, probably the best of the entire bay.
This lump yielded 18 counts, 17 culls, and 20 spat per square yard.
The second lump north of the large patch yielded scattering clusters,
mussels, barnacles, and dead shells in black mud, and another lump
south of Benado Creek Reef produced 34 counts, 56 culls, and 37 gag
with some mussels and barnacles per square an

These small patches are all fished for the market. The remaining
lumps, containing 31 acres, were located, but the character of the
oyster growth was not determined. :

OystER GROWTH ON CHAIN BEDS.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.
Character of oyster growth. Area. Eee Slug
nder ver
Segnas | ince. Seed. Market. | Total.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
DenS6 2 55 Fa eee te ee eels eee 94 483 496 45, 402 46, 624 92, 026
Scattering ei cose Paso eee ss eee eee 29 27 105 783 3, 045 3, 828
MNO Gea SS 9: eeese cass Ne Sete a Spey UU ass 123 {ise ei tenement 46, 185 49, 669 95, 854

Dertaits OF EXAMINATION OF CHAIN BEDs.

Oysters caught per Shell: Estimated quantity
Sta. | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. cr | Oysters per acre. | Character
fion,| examina] of cov- SUE ER of oyster
tion. | water. | ered. yard growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) Y°™°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
352 | Apr. 16 5.0 2.12 41.0 13.8 24.1 17 662 583 | 1,245 | Dense.
354 |...do 5.5 1.99 12.6 23.6 20.1 9 437 485 922 Do.
361 | Apr. 17 4.0 2.65 19.9 16.9 18.0 6 334 435 769 Do.
367 |...do 2.5 2.64 37.1 55.7 34.1 12 845 822 | 1,667 Do.
430 | May 8 6.5 1.82 3.8 Uortl 6.6 11 139 159 298 Do.
355 | Apr. 16 6.0 1.86 .0 5 4.8 27 6 116 122 | Scattering.
369 | Apr. 17 5.0 2.12 .0 .0 S50 llsesses ae 0 79 79 Do.
429 | May 8 6.0 1.85 -5 5.9 5.0 8 77 121 | 198 Do.

HOPPE LUMP.

Hoppe lump hes three-quarters of a mile north of Signal Bay, and
about 175 yards off the west shore. The lump is approximately 500
yards wide and 700 yards long and is somewhat quadrate in out-
line. The depth of water varies from 3 to 5 feet and the northern-
most part of the lump rises from one-half to 1 foot above the general
level of the neighboring bottoms.

Three stations were made. One near the west-central margin re-
vealed a soft bottom, some buried shells, but no oysters; another
near the center of the lump showed a rather soft bottom, but 21
counts, 54 mussels, and 35 barnacles per square yard; while the
third station, near the southern margin, showed a hard bottom with
3 counts and 3 mussels per square yard.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 29

_- The oysters of this lump are in clusters and singles, long, flat, and
_ with sharp edges but of fair flavor. It is fished but little.

OysteER GRowTH ON Horre Lump.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area,
Under 3 | Over3

inches. | inches. Seed. | Market. | Total.

Acres. Suse Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
TSE) 1 Lo gw ae 41 198| 3,075 8,118 11, 193

DeTAits oF EXAMINATION OF Hoppe Lump.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

gia. | Date of | Depth} Area square yard. Shells | oysters per acre. - | Character
Hon, |°Samina-| _ of cov- ease of oyster
> “| tion. | water. | ered. aid growth.
- Spat. |} Culls. |Counts.| Y°"°- | Seed. [Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bus
445 | May 8 6.5 1.82 4.3 13.7 21.4 22 218 516 73 Dense.
444 |...do.... 6.5 1.82 .0 .0 .0 0 0 0 Do.
372 | Apr. 17 §.5 2.12 -0 9 3.3 1 8 OE ats ee Scattering.

HALF MOON REEF.

This lies one-half mile south of Long Reef and a quarter of a mile
north of Hoppe Lump. Its length is one-half mile, and its greatest
width, 300 yards, is near the southern half, whence it contracts sud-
denly to the northward to a width of 50 yards.

The depth of water ranges from 3 to 5 feet, and the reef is approx-
imately on the general level of the surrounding bottoms, excepting
along the western margin, where there is an elevation of about 1
foot.

Three stations were made, one on the 50-yard projection, which
gave the best returns—about 11 counts, 3 culls, and 6 spat per
square yard. An average of the other stations near the center of
the reef showed 4 counts, 3 culls, and 4 spat. Mussels and barnacles
were found at all stations.

The oysters of this reef resemble those of Hoppe Lump. They
are of fair flavor, of good shape, but generally too small for market,
excepting on the edges, where they occur in clusters. They sell for
_ 98 cents per barrel, 2 cents tax. The reef was first fished in 1910,
and the work has been carried on during most of the present season
Lae 13). One man can tong seven barrels per day. During

‘‘northers”’ the reef is liable to become dry.

As a rule, fishing does not begin in the upper bay until October.
However, if freshets are early and the weather becomes cool, fishing
is pursued earlier.

re ae

= aa OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. ©

OystER GrowtH ON Haur Moon Reser.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under3 | Over3 | geeq. | Market. | Total.

inches. | inches.

ee

Acres. Bushes. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
33 8

Dense: a2; 2s ates tee foe esha e cact eee eee 151 2,574 4,983 7, 557
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Hatr Moon REEF.
Oysters caught per Estimated quantity
Sta. | Date of | Depth| Area square yard. Shells oysters per acre. Character
ta- |examina-| of cov- Der of oyster
tion.| “tion. | water. | ered. pore growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y8°°: | Seed. [Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
441 | May 8 6.0 1.39 5.7 2.9 10.8 25 104 261 365 | Dense.
377 | Apr. 17 4.5 2.39 7.5 3.3 4.6 5 98 111 209 | Scattering.
442 | May 8 5.5 1.49 -0 2.7 3.4 9 33 82 115 Do.
LONG REEF.

This long, narrow, crescent-shaped reef of 64 acres lies a few hun-
dred yards southeast of the mouth of Garcitas Bay and has a length
of 1 mile, with an average width of about 150 yards. It is practically
at the level of the general bottom, excepting at the western extremity,
where there is a rise of about 6 inches. The depth of water varies
from 34 to 4 feet.

Along the edge of the reef there are large oysters in clusters resem-
bling those on Half Moon Reef, while on top there are small ones.
Considerable fishing is done here for seed, which are worth as much
as marketable oysters. Permits are obtained to take whatever is on
the bottom without the payment of any tax. This reef was first
fished about two years ago, and, with the exception of Chicken Reef, -
this is true for the upper bay generally. One man can take seven
barrels per day.

A small patch of 3 acres, 100 by 200 yards in extent, lies just east
of Long Reef and has dense oysters of about the same character and
quality as those of the main reef. The depth of water varies from
34 to 4 feet. A station on the patch showed 705 bushels of seed and
1,122 bushels of marketable oysters per acre, making, all told, for
the patch 2,115 bushels of seed and 3,366 bushels of marketable
oysters.

The following tables show the data obtained from this bed:

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 31

OystER GROwTH ON Lone REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over 3
Haones) | Sees Seed. Market. | Total.

: Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
WeETISHE <=)... ----5--5084 someebees Sedhcesdaes 64 340 332 21, 760 21, 248 43,008

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF LONG REEF.

: Oysters caught per nell Estimated quantity
Sta- | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. S es oysters per acre. Giensctor
tion. | Cxamina- of cov- cuaare of oyster
tion. | water. | ered. orl growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.| Y°°°- | Seed. Market. Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
382 | Apr. 17 4.5 2.39 15.1 13.8 18.8 3 262 _ 454 716 | Dense.
396 | Apr. 25 2.5 3.52 4.0 ond 14.9 6 117 360 477 Do
437 | May 8 3.0 2.39 19.3 22.2, 9.6 15 501 232 733 Do.
440 |...do..... 5.5 1.49 47.8 16.3 19.5 41 774 471 1, 245 Do.
438 Goz-a=: 5.5 1.99 -0 4.0 6.0 1 48 145 193 | Scattering.

PATCHES NEAR SIGNAL GAR.

_ There are two small patches in the vicinity of Signal Gar, about
250 yards offshore and three-quarters of a mile off Long Reef. They
are each about 150 yards in length by 100 yards in width. Depth
24 feet.

The patch to the west, contaiming 3 acres, was discovered in
1911, but first fished the year following. The oysters on top are
very dense and are of the snapper type. On the southeast edge
there are large oysters in mud; the other edges do not bear such
good stock, but better than is found on top. As many as 18 barrels
have been fished in one day and at least 200 barrels of oysters have
been taken in one week. The oysters are of good quality and fair
flavor, but too large for raw stock.

The patch to the east, containing 2 acres, is fished but little, and
not at all last season. The oysters are dense and in clusters, but
scattering on the edges, and are not up to the standard, being of
poor shape, watery, and poor in flavor and meat.

OystER GROWTH ON PATCHES NEAR SIGNAL GAR.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

- Character of oyster growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over 3
Hanae oll Sretanoe Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
ID ONSO ysis hoe se see ise ee a seis eeR eee 5} - 1,027 1, 088 5, 135 5, 440 10, 575

32 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

DeTaits OF EXAMINATION OF PATCHES NEAR SIGNAL GAR.

Oysters caught per Shell Estimated quantity
Sta- | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. Se oysters per acre. Character
ti on examina-| of cov- 5 sae of oyster
tion.. | water. | ered. Sree growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) Y°"°- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. ‘
435 | May 8... 4.0 2. 61 21.1 26.3 29.3 21 572 708 { 1,280 | Dense.
436 |...do 4.0 1.99 70. 7 53. 2 60. 8 35 | 1,483} 1,468] 2,951 Do.
399 | Apr. 25 SB yll BSRO3eS 5 .0 -0 .0 0 0 0 0

BENADO CREEK REEF.

Benado Creek Reef lies approximately 1 mile southwest of the
mouth of Benado Creek, and one-half mile off the north shore of the
bay. The reef is 1 mile in length and about 300 yards in width at the
central section, narrowing to both the north and south. The depth
of water on and adjacent to the reef ranges from 34 to 5 feet.

This reef was first fished in 1910-11, but has never been given a
fair test because oysters are more plentiful elsewhere. Three or four
barrels is considered a good day’s yield per man. The oysters are
of fair shape, occurring mostly in clusters, and are of fair flavor.
The reef never ebbs dry.

The following tables show its area and distribution of oyster
growth:

OysTER GROWTH ON BENADO CREEK REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over3

| SGnas | spdice Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

DOMSO aes tee Fe See RI 5 AN Sarda he eye Sea 39 257 333 10, 023 12, 987 23, 010
Scattering sas. ae sages secs eee 15 17 92 255 1,380 1, 635
Mery scatterings. \2 552225 i oon en asc 20 0 24 0 480 480

Rotalios aisles ese aac ae eeemsceeeeesee TAT Ree eee rears cee 10, 278 14, 847 25, 125

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF BENADO CREEK REEF.

Oysters caught per | Shell Estimated quantity
Sta. | Date of | Depth | Area square yard. eerare oysters per acre. Character
Hon,| examina-| of cov- | Bred of oyster
‘| tion. | water. | ered. aa growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.| Y°°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. \ Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
384 | Apr. 17 4.0 2. 66 20.2 13.9 12.0 3 315 289 604 | Dense.
416 | Apr. 30 4.5 2.39 7.9 10.9 17.2 5 243 415 658 Do.
432 | May 8 5.0 2.12 6. 6 10. 4 12.7 i) 205 306 511 Do.
433 |...do.... 5.0 2.12 -0 1.4 3.8 6 17 92 109 | Scattering.
BEY ers (yee 6.0 1.85 -0 -0 1.0 2 0 24 24 | Very_ scat-

tering.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. oo

PATCHES BETWEEN BENADO CREEK AND LAVACA RIVER.

Between Benado Creek and Lavaca River there are seven rather
small patches which were located during the survey, but only two of
these were examined in detail.

The first patch, about 14 miles southeast of the mouth of Benado
Creek and 700 yards off the east shore, is 100 yards wide by 200
yards long. A station made on this patch revealed a hard bottom
and about 425 bushels of seed and 754 bushels of market oysters per ©
acre, the depth of the water being 3 feet.

The second patch examined lies one-third of a mile south of the
first, and about 400 yards off the east shore. It is somewhat circu-
lar in outline, but with a projecting arm and a slight indentation on
the eastern margin. The diameter is approximately 300 yards and
the depth of water 3 feet.

An examination of this patch showed about 443 bushels of small
oysters and 578 bushels of large ones per acre. On both patches the
oysters are larger than on the lumps to the westward, but they are
fished but little.

There is a fringe of oysters covering upward of 100 acres along
shore north of the mouth of Lavaca River, but no detailed examina-
tion was made.

OYSTER GROWTH ON PATCHES BETWEEN BENADO CREEK AND Lavaca RIveErR,

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over 3

saaines. || Hones. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
ID GTS Gsc cise SA Re COSCO SCS Ce eee sere eeaee 22 443 578 9, 746 12, 716 22, 462

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF PATCHES BETWEEN BENADO CREEK AND LAVACA

RIVER.
Oysters caught per Estimated quantity
St Date of | Depth} Area square yard. Shells oysters per acre. Character
ii 2 | examina-| of cov- 12) of oyster
ion. “tion. | water.| ered. | * eee growth.
Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y°"°: | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1913. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
446 | May 8 5.0 1.59 13.2 22.0 31.2 8 425 754 | 1,179 | Dense.
447 |._..do.... 4.0 1.99 13.6 24.6 16.6 8 461 402 863 Do.

REVIEW OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS.

Of the total area of Lavaca Bay, about one-sixth, 6,853 acres, or
10.7 square miles, is covered with oyster growth. In the lower half
of the bay the beds, with the exception of some insignificant patches,
are all east of a line joining Gallinipper Point and Point Comfort.

34 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. Wa

Why the western third of this region shodld be barren while the
remainder is covered by extensive and prolific beds was not deter-
mined by the survey. The beds are practically continuous and in
many cases the lines of demarcation between them are fees
assumed for the purposes of this report.

In the upper part of the bay, above the line between Noble Point
and Point Comfort, the beds are smaller and more generally distribu-
ted, although somewhat more numerous in the western half. So
far as the quality of the oysters is concerned, their flavor, condition,

‘and to some extent their shape, those of the upper bay were the
better during the time of the survey and it is aki: that this is
true at most times.

In respect to the uniform prolificness of the heen as a whole,
Lavaca Bay is the most remarkable region which has been Gia
by the Bureau. Not less than 91 per cent of the total area of oyster
bottom is classed as dense growth, 5 per cent as scattering, a little
over 2 per cent as very scattering, and a little less than 2 per cent as
so-called depleted bottom. It appears as if the bottom must spring
into great. productivity very soon after it begins to bear oysters at
all, and the large areas of sparsely productive bottom usually found
in syetegnod come: regions are lacking.

A glance at the chart accompanying this report will show this, and
it is also exhibited in the following table which shows the acreage
of each class of growth for each of the large beds and for groups of
the smaller patches.

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF AREAS OF MARKET OysTERS ON PuBLIC BEDS.

Character of oyster growth.
Name of bed. Total
Very F :
Scatter- De-
Dense. ing. ales pleted

Acres Acres Acres Acres. Acres.
Sand Point Reet ijaj<ccn-nen eseacoee cence eee Ytche ie satay 20 62 160
Lumps northeast of Sand Point Reef............-..- bn Seee nee 67" |: Seeker 72
Middle Ground Reef..........-.....--------- i 472
Old Town Bed ..........--.---. ates eae 328
Lumps south of Old Town Bed. the So Lees yale : 14
Bed north of Middle Ground..-.-..-......-.-- ae , ead ine ee 173
KeellensiBede seh cians cet tiers tebe oeesnebre eaer 1, 287
Rhodes Point Reet o-aeeeseeeeeeeeese= enero jjoeeue 1, 217
Cox Bedi. je eis eee ie Le ne ean 7 SULT
Lumps east of Cox Bed ....-.-..--.--- PopSet a aeeate 3 : 34
Gallinipper/Rieels seas es eeaers see ene een eee 361
MitchelluPointiRieeish eee sence aeeen er seenae eee ere ae 590
Point iComfort Beds pee --s oe seen eee eee eee 126
Ez) oval Bors) een aire Pere ct ars o o an par ARS ee sae 241
Chicken Reels: tees o seek eee een eecenienaee 160
Northwest of Lap Reef ee : 79
Chain Beds -..-22:-2.22 fe phe ase Sree 123
Hoppe Lump... sasetee Sets pas 41
Half Moon Reef. el et ers 33
ron giveeie see. en pee ene eee eeee ee eran eee cr On
Patchesmear Gar/Sionalice -2 22sec oe see see sae eee ; 5
Benado Creck-Reel. 12 282 eS 74
Between Benado Creek and Lavaca River I 22

<i

ee ee

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 35

| As is explained in the introductory part of the report, the classi-
fication is based on the relative abundance of oysters over 3 inches
ng, which is assumed to be the minimum size which could be used
= market purposes. The smaller oysters, while recorded and else-

Pricither does the term dense mean a continuous cover of Passed
oysters. It is used to express the condition where oysters in excess
of 150 bushels per acre are found on the bottom, either as a con-
_ tinuous growth or in separated clusters, lying on the mud or sand.
& The following table gives the estimated total content of each class
of growth of each bed:

v SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF MARKET OysTERS ON PuBLic BEDs.

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed. en Very # Total.
Dense. Cee al seatiter:
ing. ing. pleted.
Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
Roel OMAP CON: eae) sefeioiecclniciaie/sileiei = = a nial= sis Serele ciem 6, 536 372 18, 048
Lumps northeast of Sand Point Reef Je 5, 738
Middle Ground Reef......-..--.---- 430, 076
OldiRown Bede. 2225... 5s--55225-2- Bee 309, 304
Lumps south of Old Town Bed..........--.--.-..! 9,310
Bed north of Middle Ground.............---..---- 74, 563
IRGINOES TEIGG | eee eRe SEOs SAEs eer ieee meee 543, 150
Hpnodesweomt Reels. sas.-5--c et science ees cc ae x 628, 231
Coes IGGL Ae Cee ik aes Bisa eke et ea Sree eae ere 421,366
imps east.of Cox Bed -.--.-_..-_--.---- pete ceael 5, 436
oe ple Pa ae pa eed ae awa) Be 197, 434
Matchell@eoint Reels. si c2e55268 2 ceo seeek ee teks 397, 949
Peo ComiontyBeds:2 2 5.0.5 se5- bik Sh en aes 22, 614
TLD) TRRS1e) ta es A ee eco 65, 723
Wintekenprveeh aes ee seam - sooo. oe Pecks | 27, 616
montiwespotiluap Reef... 2c sie. bec cece 23,305
WhaimbheOs seem soeckosas Ss sc et es Scle eee Saas 49, 669
Hoppe Lump.........-- Oe DE See oe ent ah anaes 8, 118
EfolipMoombpiveeler Sam ss ccetetse gence S-6 tics Scots 4,983
NEGHOUEVER TA cae c-Seie ens nn 2 its Mah ak pe ep eS 21,248
Patches necan Gan eiomal ss. jses2o2- estes 2eceucs 5; 440
Benado Creek Weelisea. (cscs settee. cee see -cee 14, 847
Between Benado Creek and Lavaca River..--...... 12,716
Mo tale worse eeececneessuse seem ese eee oes Ste 3, 251, 266 37, 771 7,373 531 | 3,296, 881

This table shows an extraordinary average of 525 bushels of large
oysters per acre of the areas classed as bearing a dense growth and of
nearly 500 bushels per acre for the entire area of oyster beds in the
bay. Therefore, not only is the ratio of dense growth to the whole
greater, but the density of growth on that area and on the beds as a
whole is much greater than in any other region of approximately equal
extent which has been examined by the Bureau.

Middle Ground and Old Town Beds are the most productive, each
producing over their extensive areas an average of about 950 bushels
of large oysters per acre. This is exceeded slightly by some of the
small lumps in the upper part of the bay. This, however, constitutes
but part of the oyster content, for the smaller oysters are numerically

36

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

more numerous than the larger ones and as a whole approximately

equal them in bulk, as is shown in the following table:

SUMMARIZED CoNTENT OF YOUNG OYSTERS ON PuBLIC BEpDs.

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed. : Very Total.
Dense. See a pie
Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

SEVCC MECHA WO Sothn endsceadssonscoseeseosneene 26, 208 46, 720
Lumps northeast of Sand Point Reef. 3,310 31, 852
Middle Ground Reef............-.-- 359, 196 380, 504
Old TowniBed -22e ss seen eee SBE 224, 024 224, 024
Lumps south of Old Town Bed ..............-:.-- 6 986 6, 986
Bed north of Middle Ground..-.....-.-.--.--.--.- 70, 930 70, 930
Kellers' Beds .i. ace aenenooser seo cece eee ae seas 397, 800 398, 580
Rhodes/Point Reef. 222 55255--.s-cseee see ee eases 400, 038 412) 537
Cox, Beds) ack ceU a ee hee ane ne a anee 428, 428 498) 428
Lumps east of Cox Bed 22222222 5-2-2222 -- 2 oe ee 1, 269 9, 546
Gallinipper eel. 2.25: Sc ee se eee ree 252, 014 259, 406
MitchelliPoint Restae 22.202 = anon eee eee ee 520, 956 528, 127
Poimt Comfort Beds ............-..--------.------ 41, 528 44,548
Bapikteefas 52 ake S aaa SoS Sees cee eee te 111, 744 120, 175
Chicken Reef: se Sens se Ress ae ie 26, 840 38, 824
Northwest of Lap Reef..............--.-----.-.---- 28, 912 25, 912
Chain Beds nee oe eco. acti eutee eeepc mee 45, 402 46, 185
Hoppeisumip peice == scicciecee 2 ae eee eae se ee 3, 075 3, 075
ETahi¢Mioon Reefer. << oats aces sae eee 2,574 2,574
Mone eek. 2202 be eee ces sae ses ee eee es 21, 760 21, 760
atchesmear Ganislonale e.- sees eree senescent 5, 135 5, 135
BenadoiCreek Reel: )acs22 ests sss see tee 10, 023 10, 278
Between Benado Creek and Teen ULV OR Se elee seer 9, 746 9, 746

TO tA ec Seek ee tens te ear eee rn 2,994, 898 66, 854 51, 357 12, 743 | 3,125, 852

Although in a sense the young oysters are the most important
elements of the reef contents, they have no immediate commercial
value except as seed. It is not until they grow to market size that
they can be used, and as they grow it is self-evident that the number
per bushel will decrease. A comparison of their quantity with that
of the market oysters is therefore less important as an index of the
probable future of a reef than an examination of their relative num-
bers, and for the purpose of making this numerical comparison the
following table has been prepared from the data collected by the
survey.

NuMBER oF OysteRS UNpER THREE INcHES LonNG FoR EacH ONE OVER THAT
LENGTH ON THE SEVERAL BEDs. .

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed. cI
Dense Seat- cone De-
q tering. ing pleted.

SandpPomnt Reels sscemsseesa her eeees
Lumps northeast of Sand Point Reef.

Middle Ground Reef
Old Town Bed ..............--
Lumps south of Old Town Bed
Bed north of Middle Ground..
Kellers Bed.,

CC io i ir iy

See eee cee

Ce ee ee id

FO Eo
WO Or 109 >

LeneTH ON THE SEVERAL Beps—Continued.

—

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed. Very

: Dense. ee seatter- ae

£. ing. p .
SuLLOLGS TATE ASE, 5s eee Se ete Skee oie Ne ames 8) DRY 5 Sek Bike ee ee
ORS TAG) coe ceed eines ese i ae CS Oe Fes Gel GE sid 8 |e a 2 A eal
aarp sieast, Of COX: Bed\co2c 2a tbe se ree oece tee ah case eueceee- 1.5 LIAN eh Le 1 eee
PE AIN AY Oy GTP ENGI se a eg See ee ae 2.9 AGG eee men ete | ce socroae
MECCHSelIPPOINnt a COL eee aoe Se cic a noch nsachwokn cemecursae nes 3.0 1.4 TEN Seeeeaeece
2P @ETaUE (CO) G01) ot B76 Fs) a an 4.4 ONO) pee ee eee aac eee
LEAD ROD coo SEO CUES oe ee ae EERE ay) i Sn Sti nna Onan Bee Sevdln=seeseee 5 12.1 61.8
SEENGIRG INGOT sce lope eae eno at ele Sa ne ae 2.4 4.6 3.3 9.5
Monnkwestolwap Reef... -2... a.-2h.) capnessgecccesecec—ses- GASH aan Es oe Ee eee ae ee ee ane ©
Marinmpbodspe ee oe hae tite. oan Ene Ts Silat Bee Be ea i PD) ye PES Ds ad Cl [at ee
LZTDOO THAT) eS pA SMe se Se ees Cet ees Se ieee eee ee Stet a aSeoc Tee ase coed ane Eeerre
Half Moon Reef...........-- Re eS ee Cee seme ate ook Toy |B nese tg [Lacan on S Seo eek ae hg eae
LITRE INGE Gani BRS ae boli ee ve SU Secs ache) aren eta: ae 2.3 AGA eee Pots oe deraaisaee
Hearemesmean Gar Glenaloss 2. sas ccan cosas sae noe ek eoss coe esas OA Se Seas eh yeeros eectio Sites cpceretee
TIAL OMOTOO Key OO las 4c = jac sjcissi en cnise embeds San maeseke tied ocd 1a, EL GS oe 5 St ae A
Between Benado Creek and Lavaca River...........----------- PRD everest tore | eaters | [ere Shes ze erere

On all beds except Hoppe Lump and Half Moon Reef there is a
considerable numerical preponderance of small oysters, and in con-
sideration of the rapidity of oyster growth on the Gulf coast there is
no probability that any of the beds will fail to perpetuate themselves
under present conditions, unless as the result of physical accident or
the attacks of some enemy which has not yet appeared.

BARREN BOTTOMS.

The area of barren bottoms—that is, those which are not naturally
productive of oysters even in small quantities—vastly exceeds that of
the natural beds, including in the latter those so-called depleted areas
which bear practically nothing. These bottoms are barren, mainly
because of one character in which they differ from the productive
areas—namely, that they are devoid of shells or other objects lying
on the surface. They consist of sand and mud of varying degrees of
stability and consistency. Oysters, immediately after they develop
from the egg, for a brief period swim or float freely in the water,
settling to a fixed condition only after they reach a stage of consider-
able development.*

It is not necessary to give more detail to this subject other than to
say that at the time at which they are undergoing fixation the oysters
are very minute, and a slight film of mud or slime is sufficient to stifle
them. During the spawning season these little organisms are present
in the water in untold myriads and are precipitated to the bottom in
a continuous gentle drizzle of tiny specks. If they fall on an oyster
bed they find firm supports on the shells and oysters, attach them-
selves and grow, but if they fall on the mud or bare sand they die.

@ For a more extended account see “‘ Oysters and methods of oyster culture,’ by H. F. Moore, Bureau of
Fisheries Document no. 349, which may be obtained by application to the Bureau at Washington, D, C,

38 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

The natural beds have been slowly developed on bottom similar to

that which surrounds them solely because through some agency there
originally lodged on the mud or sand some hard objects to which
the young oysters could safely cling. Oysters developing there and

their shells scattered about by the waves furnished additional places —

for fixation of new generations of young, with the result that the
original growth extended in area and its bed became a compact
mass of shells and fragments, beneath which can still be found by
excavation or probing the original bottom differmg in no essential
particular from the adjacent barren areas.

All that is required by the barren bottom in order that it may
become productive is that its surface should be supplied with hard
objects or cultch, either through natural agencies or by the hand of
man. The capacity of the bottom to sustain material deposited on
it and to maintain it in proper condition to serve as cultch depends
largely on its stability and consistency. Moving sands gradually
cover objects deposited on their surface and soft mud permits them
to sink. It is therefore of prime importance for the oyster culturist
to have information concerning the character of the bottom, and it
was one of the purposes of the survey to supply it.

The methods and the instrument employed have been described in
the introductory part of this report and the results attamed are shown
eraphically on the chart.

The symbols on the chart designating the character of the bottom
do not show all of the places at which examinations were made, but
only those which have been selected as representative of the general
conditions obtaining in the vicinity. It may be assumed that between
any two adjacent symbols of different significance the change in the
character of the bottom is more or less gradual.

While practically none of the bottom of Lavaca Bay is composed -

of ooze, practically all of it, except in places alongshore and in the
immediate vicinity of the reefs, is composed of soft or very soft mud,
which under the economic conditions of the locality are hardly worthy
of serious consideration for purposes of oyster culture.

The bottoms which are classed in this report as hard and stiff mud
are more or less scattered along the margins of the bay, usually
within one-half mile of shore. The largest body of bottom naturally
firm enough for planting oysters without danger of havmg them
engulfed and smothered is in the southeastern part of the bay between
Sand Point and the mouth of Kellers Bay. The location of other
areas may be most readily determined from the chart.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 39

GENERAL PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
TIDES AND CURRENTS.

Primarily for the reduction of the soundings to approximate mean
low-water level, a tide gauge, a plain staff graduated in feet and
tenths, was established at Port Lavaca, the most convenient and
central point on the bay. During the entire period of the survey
- readings were made every two hours during daylight. The highest
tide recorded was on April 23, when the water stood at 4.7 feet on the
gauge and the lowest was on March 16, when it fell to 1.2 feet on the
staff, a maximum range of 3.5 feet. The daily range was usually from
0.4 to 0.8 feet, and was to a great degree affected by the winds, which
in many cases obscured or obliterated the apparent lunar influences.
Although the normal tidal range is small, the currents are suffi-
ciently strong to insure ample circulation for the conveyance of oyster
food and the renewal of water for respiratory purposes.

SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER.

As the amount of salt carried by the waters is a factor important
to oyster growth and flavor, as well as conditioning the presence or
absence of destructive enemies, a series of observations relating to the

_salinity and water temperature were continued throughout the survey.
It is well known that oysters reach their maximum development and
finest quality in waters of brackish character, having a specific gravity
of 1.012 to 1.018, about midway between fresh water (specific gravity
1.000) and open-sea water (specific gravity 1.025). Water nearly
fresh, on the one hand, or very salt, on the other, if present for any
length of time over the oyster beds, is extremely detrimental, if not
absolutely prohibitive, to the mollusks. Certain enemies of the
oysters are also greatly influenced by the amount of salt in solution,
the drill, for example, avoiding waters of low salinity, while the com-
mon black sea mussel thrives in them.

In order to obtain a reasonably accurate or reliable estimate of the
proportion of salt in Lavaca Bay, two separate but simultaneous
series of observations of salinity and water temperature were made.
From the Fish Hawk, anchored in the vicinity of the Middle Ground
and Sand Point Reefs, observations were made at 8 a. m., noon, and
6 p.m. The depth of water varied from 8 to 10 feet. The other
seriés was made by the biological party, and extended over the
greater part of the bay, including points both on the reefs and barren
grounds.

The water samples in both series of observations were taken a few
inches from the bottom of the bay, regardless of depth. The instru-
ment or apparatus used for collecting the samples is illustrated and

40 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

described in ‘‘Volumetric Studies of the Food and Feeding of
Oysters,” by H. F. Moore (Bulletin Bureau of Fisheries, vol. xxvim,
p. 1297-1308).

For purposes of comparison the bay was divided into three areas
of approximately equal extent, the first of which was that section of
the lower bay extending northward to a line connecting Rhodes and
Gallinipper Points; the second from this line to Chicken and Lap
Reefs; the third from these reefs to the head of the bay. The follow-
ing table summarizes the results of the observations, the boldface type
showing the data obtained by the Fish Hawk at the mouth of the bay,
coincidently with the conditions observed in the several regions by
the survey party. ;

SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE OBSERVATIONS IN LAVACA Bay.

Water tempera-

Pel Specific gravity.
Locality. Date.
Max.| Min.| Av. | Max. | Min. Av.
1913. SI ui [eal o ony

Bish Ha Wh iosafessrere eink Sete ore ees Feb. 24-28.......- 66 59 63 | 1.0176 | 1.0166 | 1.0172
Bish Saws) £5. sds esig b eacloreenciare wee Mari 1-5 22202553 66 09 61 | 1.0172 | 1.0160 | 1.0168
Area 1, vicinity of Kellers Bed.......-- Marfa rset soaccenlteeere |e neeee 64). 3.5055 Seeeeees 1.0166
Bishi Hawk! ¢s secu poets Mec ontage Mar. 6-10....-.-.-- 66 57 64 | 1.0184 | 1.0156 | 1.0173
Area 1, vicinity of Old Town, Middle |..... (0 (years ie ye 66 63 64 | 1.0178 | 1.0152 | 1.0160

Ground, Kellers Beds.
Fish Hawk...:........ SODA OD aoe Mar. 11-17.......- 68 54 61 | 1.0176 | 1.0142-} 1.0164
Area 1, southeast Gallinipper Point, |..... GOs seem ose 68 57 60. | 1.0178 | 1.0147] 1.0153

entrance Kellers Bay; southeast Old

Town Bed, east of Kellers Bed.
Mish Hawi is oes Wines Sais eek aes een Mar. 18-31-.....-- 72 57 65 | 1.0208 | 1.0154 | 1.0176
Area 2, vicinity of Cox Bed, Mitchell |_._.. Ola eeeamoee 64 57 61 | 1.0164 | 1.0112} 1.0130

Point Reef, off Chocolate Bay, off
Port Lavaca.

Mish awihkprrecce. etalon Oe eae Apred-9e. jaee 5a: 73 68 71 | 1.0185 | 1.0160 | 1.0173,
Area 2, vicinity of Rhodes Point Reef, |.._.. One eeissce sce 70 66 69 | 1.9152 | 1.0134 | 1.0140
off Port Lavaca, entrance Chocolate
Bay.
Bish Hawke 2 swsinse aes ee eee Apr. 10- 15 Sioa 70| 61 66 | 1.0178 | 1.0154 | 1.0168
Area 2, vicinity of Mitchell Point Reef, |.-...- Gone sees eee 72 63 67 | 1.0138 | 1.0063 | 1.0116
south of Chicken Reef, Lap Reef.
Bishph awk af ss eG ous eis tke Apr. 16-May 2. 75 | 61 70 | 1.0187 | 1.0152 | 1.0169
Area 3, off Lavaca River, Hoppe Lump, |.--..- dOsse aes ssee: 75 66 73 | 1.0137 | 0.0110} 1.0120
Benado Creek. 2

From this table it will be observed that while there was the usual
seasonal increase in the temperature during the progress of the
investigation, there was no material change in the saltness of the
water at the mouth of the bay, nor, probably, in the other regions.
There was, however, a progressive decrease in the salinity of the
water from the mouth of the bay to its head, a condition to be ex-
pected from the fact that the fresh water is all discharged in the
upper part of the bay. At no time during the survey did the saltness
fall below that which oysters will tolerate indefinitely, and at no
time was it below the most desirable degree of salinity, with the
exception of a short period in the first half of April. It is probable,
however, that during times of prolonged rainfall some of the oysters
in the upper part of the bay may be killed or injured by excessively
fresh water.

_ OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. Al

OYSTER ENEMIES.

_vey and there was but little edie of any considerable destruction
of oysters through their agency. Probably more oysters are de-
‘stroyed by mud, or through being overgrown and smothered by
their own kind, than are killed by other marine animals.
- Drills or conchs—There occur in Lavaca Bay two species of these
- marine snails, known to zoologists as Thais hemastoma var. floridana
and Busycon perversum, the former being the more common ‘and
larger species, one specimen taken measuring over 4 inches in length.
Not over two or three dozen of both kinds were found during the
survey and practically no oysters killed by them were found. These
drills are essentially salt-water animals and are confined to the
lower part of the bay. It is commonly supposed by oystermen that
they secrete an acid by which they perforate the oyster shells by
solution, but in reality the holes are made mechanically by means
of a rasp-like tongue which can be protuded from the mouth.

Mussels ( Mytilus hamalus)—The mussels found on the oyster
beds must not be confused with either the large edible sea mussel of
the Atlantic coast or the fresh-water mussel, which is used for button
making. So far as is known this species has no present economic
use, although doubtless it would make a good fertilizer.

Mussels were found very sparingly on the beds of the lower half of
the bay and none at all were observed below a line uniting Gallinipper
and Rhodes Points. From Chicken and Lap Reefs northward they
became more abundant, and on some beds 100 or more were found
within an area of 2 or 3 square yards. This increased abundance is
correlated with the lowered salinity of the water, this mussel being
an inhabitant of brackish waters. Although this mollusk is classed as
an oyster enemy, it is not one in the sense of preying on the more valu-
able shellfish. Itis injurious in that it eats the same kind of food as
the oyster, and therefore lessens the supply for the latter, while at the
same time its more prolific growth enables it to cover the latter, inter-
fere with its growth and eventually to stifle and starve it.

Drumfish (Pogonias cromis).—The black drum was not observed
during the survey, nor was it learned that it had ever caused destruc-
tion in Lavaca Bay. It is mentioned here because it is likely to
appear suddenly on any part of the coast and at such times it is often
very destructive, particularly to the planted oysters of better quality.
Owing to the clustered growth and sharp edges of the oysters the
natural beds of Lavaca Bay are not likely to be seriously injured by
this fish. :

Minor enemies and pests —The yellow sponge, which overgrows
the oysters and produces the ‘‘worm-eaten” condition of the shells,

-barnacles which crowd the oysters and roughen the shells, and the

eer ae
Ge "

4D” OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

little boring clam, Martesia, which burrows its oval chamber in the
shells, are all more or less nuisances, and therefore objectionable,
but they do comparatively little harm in Lavaca Bay

SPAWNING.

The conditions of spawning probably do not differ from those
generally obtaining on the Gulf coast, and it is, therefore, not nec-

essary to discuss the subject at any length. It will suffice to repeat.

what has been said in a previous report.”

The spawning of oysters consists, in brief, of the discharge of eggs
from the female and spermatozoa from the male to meet and fuse in
the surrounding water. The fertilized eggs develop into minute
embryos, each furnished with a little brush of cilia or hairlike pro-
cesses which vibrate in rhythm and propel it feebly through the water.

sat

After a time Varying with the temperature of the water the embryos —

develop a tiny shell, which by its weight eventually precipitates
them to the bottom, where, if they fall upon a suitable, clean, firm,
support, they attach and grow into spat, but if not they speedily die.
As their own powers of locomotion are inconsiderable, the wide dis-
tribution of the young oysters in their Seng stage is dependent
upon the currents.

Oysters in the spawning condition are of a peculiar creamy color,
with branching lines traced over the surfaces of the body. When
they are cut the ripe genital products at once exude from the wound,
but if the shell be opened carefully and a gentle pressure exerted
upon the body they will be discharged from a definite opening bie
below the muscle (usually called by the oystermen the ‘‘eye” or
‘“‘heart”’) which extends between the two valves. This is the pore
from which they flow in the normal process. Ripe oysters in the
language of the oystermen are aptly described as ‘‘milky.”’

Spawning takes place, in the main, during spring and summer, in
any given region extending over a period of some months, depending
upon the latitude and the climate. On the Gulf coast I have found
during almost every month oysters which were apparently ripe, and
from which there were obtained eggs which readily separated in the
water and had every appearance of maturity. Whether such eggs
would be extruded during the winter under natural conditions is
doubtful, and if they were it is practically certain that they would
not develop, as the experience of all investigators has shown that
development is inhibited if the temperature of the Wales drops
materially below 70°.

In Lavaca Bay the critical temperature is not permanently passed
until about May, and the major part of the spawning ei
takes place between May 1 and October 1.

a Oyster bottoms in Matagorda Bay. By H.F.Moore. Bureau of Fisheries Document no. 610. 1905.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 43

OYSTER CULTURE.

One of the primary purposes of the survey was to determine the
reasons for the unsatisfactory results heretofore attained in oyster
culture in the bay and to suggest measures to alleviate the difficulties
enumerated. The reasons are apparent, the principal if not the sole
difficulty being that the bay is already much overstocked with oysters
on the natural reefs. .

In summarizing the conditions on the oyster beds it has been shown
that they bear, as a whole, an average of nearly 1,000 bushels of
oysters per acre, about equally divided between small and market
stock.

The beds are also unusually extensive as compared with the barren
bottoms, and this, in connection with their productiveness, produces
a condition of overpopulation such as the Bureau has not encountered
in any other region of even approximately such large extent. The
survey showed that for each acre of Lavaca Bay’s area of about 60
square miles there were upward of 165 bushels of oysters, large and
small. In some localities this would be regarded as a good average
productiveness of the beds themselves, which would be surrounded
by large areas of barren bottom serving as food reservoirs.

The important effects of this overpopulation of the waters are two-
fold. In the first place any circumscribed bay or estuary can produce
but a more or less definite maximum quantity of oyster food, and,
theoretically at least, there will be a definite limited quantity available
for each oyster living therein. As a fact, some of the oysters, by
virtue of their more favorable location on the bottom, will probably
get much more than their fellows, but if there be four or five times
as many oysters as there should be, few or none will get enough to
eat and all, or practically all, will be poor and of little value in the
markets. Under the conditions prevailing in Lavaca Bay this will
obtain not only with the oysters on the densely crowded beds, but
also to a slightly reduced extent with such oysters as may be laid
down on the barren bottoms. The food of the oyster consists of
minute plants and finely divided organic matter generally, and as it
is water-borne, carried from place to place by the currents, the ex-
cessive consumption of food in one place must make itself felt in other

places more or less remote.

_ The second effect of the prodigious population of the natural beds
on planted oysters is that the latter become overburdened and even-
tually overgrown with young oysters; 6,500,000 bushels of oysters in
the circumscribed limits of Lavaca Bay must produce spawn in such
volume that at the height of the season there are hundreds of oyster
_ embryos in each quart of water. As the region is not subject to the
cold rains and sudden chilling of the water which is so destructive to

44 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX.

fry near the northern limit of the oyster’s range, and as there are no
unusual enemies to the tiny free-swimming embryos, they pass
through their development in vast numbers and set on every available
suitable body exposed to the water, the shells of the planted stock
being no exception.

Under such conditions, however carefully the seed may have been
culled into singles and small clusters, each becomes a center of attach-
ment for new growth, and there is soon produced a bunch of oysters,
none of which has room to grow into good shape, as a planted oyster.
should in order to bring the price necessary to pay for the expense of
planting. Not only are the oysters so produced inferior in shape, but
they are invariably poor in quality, as the conditions under which
they grow are such that they are unable to get the proper amount of
nutriment for the same reasons causing the impoverishment of the
food supply of oysters on the natural beds.

The difficulties recounted appear to be insuperable under the con-
ditions at present obtaining. In places where currents slacken and
silt deposits the difficulty with the set on the old oysters would be
somewhat reduced but not overcome, for the rapid production of new
shell characteristic of the region would continually supply clean ma-
terial on which the spat could settle. Moreover, in such locations the
poverty of food would almost invariably be accentuated.

Under the circumstances the best thing which could happen to the
oyster fishery would be the very material or even drastic depletion of
every oyster bed in the bay. If they contained one-fifth or, perhaps
better, one-tenth of their present content, they would produce more
marketable oysters than they do at present. According to the data
adduced in this report, they contained in the season 1912-13 about
eight times the quantity of large oysters which were marketed from
the beds of the entire State in the preceding year and a corresponding
surplus of young oysters. Here is a case in which the principles of
true conservation demand destruction rather than preservation, and
cull laws and other measures designed to protect the natural beds
would work harm rather than good. Some efficient oyster enemies
would be a blessing, provided, of course, that their ravages could be
repressed at the critical time when their work had progressed to the
proper point.

As has been pointed out in several places in this report, the con-
ditions are unusual and the only practical suggestion which the
authors have to offer is that those desiring to engage in oyster culture
take the oysters from the reefs without regard to size, break up the
clusters and plant them in some other region where oysters are not
abundant. . Possibly the more open waters of Matagorda Bay might
be utilized for this purpose, but we are not informed as to the suita-

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF LAVACA BAY, TEX. 45

- bility of the bottoms there, and there may be difficulties due to other
_ conditions.

_ In any event, we do not recommend oyster culture in Lavaca Bay
so long as the present dense oyster population is maintained.

RESUME, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

The following is a synopsis of the results of the survey detailed in
the foregoing report, with the conclusions and recommendations
based on them:

1. The survey covered the entire area of Lavaca Bay, approxi-
mately 38,103 acres, or nearly 60 square miles.

2. The area covered by oyster beds was found to be 6,853 acres,
about 18 per cent of the entire bay. Of this, about 6,571 acres, or
96 per cent, bore oysters in sufficient quantity to make tonging profit-
able, provided a market could be found for the product.

3. It is estimated that during the winter 1912-13 the content of
these beds was 3,296,881 bushels of oysters over 3 inches long and
3,125,852 bushels of smaller ones.

A, Although the quantities of the two classes of oysters were ap-
proximately equal, the small oysters were in considerable numerical
preponderance. There is, therefore, no reason to believe that there
is imminent any decrease in the present population of the beds ex-
cept as the result of the operation of wholly unforeseen agencies, such
as extraordinary freshets or the inroads of hosts of oyster enemies.

5. The beds are, at present, greatly overpopulated, and this, in
connection with their great extent in comparison with the area of
the bay, militates against the production of high-grade oysters in
any considerable quantities. The oyster industry would be bene-
fited if the oyster population in the bay could be reduced from one-
fifth to one-tenth of its present size. For this reason it is recom-
mended that cull laws and other usual measures to preserve the
oysters on the natural beds be repealed or otherwise suspended
until such time as the content of the beds shall be materially reduced.

6. While there is considerable bottom in Lavaca Bay suitable for
oyster culture, it is not believed that the industry can be profitably
pursued until the content of the natural beds is greatly reduced.
Under present conditions the supply of food is insufficient for the
proper feeding of the oyster population, and the purposes of oyster
culture, the production of a superior oyster, can not be achieved.
The enormous fecundity of the beds, furthermore, makes it difficult
or impossible to grow oysters of fine shape. Possibly seed oysters
taken from the reefs could be planted to advantage in Matagorda
Bay, but lack of information as to the general conditions of that
body of water causes the suggestion to be made with some hesitancy.

O

dR.

reag

“

U.S. B. F.—Doc. 809. PLATE I.

PLANTED OYSTERS, UPPER BAY, WITH MUSSELS AND BARNACLES.

(Natural size.)

U. S. B. F.— Doc. 809. PLATE II.

CLUSTER OF NINE MARKETABLE OYSTERS FROM OLD TOWN BED.

(Three-fifths natural size.)

U.S. B. F—Doc. 809. ' PLATE III.

1. YOUNG DRILL (THAIS HAAMASTOMA VAR. FLORIDANA).

(Natural size.)

2, ADULT DRILL (THAIS HAZEMASTOMA VAR. FLORIDANA)

(Natural size.)

U. S. B. F.—Doc. 809. PLATE IV.

OYSTER FROM CHAIN BEDS.

(Natural size.)

U.S. B. F —Doc. 809. PLATE V.

“SNAPPER” FROM LAP REEF.

(Natural size.)

ee ee

+

OYSTEReBOtReOilis

=== OF ==

LAVACA BAY, TEXAS

U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES

FEBRUARY TO MAY,

EX PLANATION

NATURAL OYSTER GROWTH CHARACTER OF BOTTOM

very scarrering
very solt mud

/, 2, Ete. Depth in feet of mean
© Landmarks Bureau of Fisheries

Noble

Gallinipper Point

ui
wm
BS:
: soca

itil OF CONGR

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