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Ww = = << = > = 5 = | S = (72) cme! w - OW : z z= AVE = : = es op) =z a aoe > NVINOSHLINS SSIYVYUSIT LIBRAR v) =o “~ uv) -_ po | eee NYY 3 Lal > : + Ee Zz a . ne pa w” = w” o z a v= S3!1YVYSIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN 2 = Roe g z = tae { ‘ 2 ' I ~ i , = nd , os - ' r \ te 5 4 ? ‘ * ne ' H Soacney, ia Fie ‘ i M1 ‘ ‘ ] 4 e* CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALABAMA By H. F. Moore Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 769 ~ oe Ly Se a ny TTR. Ck, OTA eae CONTENTS. Page INS IDUDIE Sete ee as oe ae ia La a in a ini swe ta Ey a el ot 5 IE MPRERTIC ER ULUOUei i gts Cee oe oc eal a onis sect pang ee eee ore Sele 6 Description of the natural beds: mime Hoeayou. Reel. se ee A aR Soe I Ta EP 12 UMMC EE SEE Este Py erae ss oe oie) g Magee ins ome SO eS See 13 Cedar Point Reef.........--: Taped Puscueeereieen ee WE ee) Sect tune Ss tl Pe aah ie ee 15 Oo 8 TBS ELIT SS ES SVE ore ca ee eDaeM Ne AIS Opp a 2) EOL INR 17 ere PAUIEECSO LATS ls oh ae gute os «ne Sere a ee a ae ee ee we 18 LULL CI Ae ae gee abe ais ee x ce) Cn te De Ne ec sce a 2 Tl i at een ar 19 Peeee eras STi LC Lokam a Pa ee ae ye er ne en a 20 SE ILS ak a ee nee ok Gat be = pe RS AT eae nee ee re aa 21 2 DRED EIGER COIS, oe OU ESS aT A casa a a te ee 22 Ree nee eer eee eee eb ee Seige Ns ol Se cls. 23 Doge SVS TEL SISO Sis Mie RS) ates oR CU nae Coa ene ea ge ie ee 25 PT LES STRING 6S SoG SRR SARs a eee cae egret at gare aa ee a ee afi 28 TE LL CERT SIST oat) SIR RI oe ea? ESO Pre Se 28 Sewecor litte Dauphin stand <9. 5.46 Vo) e ieee Se eS 29 Pre CHO Po wee Pe eh Bonn Poe ea 2 hee aha saa te Se he 2 29 "Es REE Db wha de epee SNe a le Seslom Re gegen Io A OO Roe ge an a 30 Bipot island thay oo. 22 ik le Ae Ue Re Les Oe te Meg a 31 EELS LEB SD ep Oe Ree mene tee ea 2” ner eer eee 33 I aR eae ee Ue eh ks oe a hn ee 34 Off East Base signal....-..-. RS BS eh US ME Na poe OF at Rene) ee 34 Hali-Moon Patches... .-.-. I ye oe a, Fal ag ag pe A Do cha aa 35 Beeeaime ane CASE RIE ye Meee. uel eco EN SL as ee 35 Eeeeaiiinay aWwONt SIdEG Ses Fe ee ate Ae Ue ee n/t ke See ee 36 etomrcany NOrUMWESt anily ss oo 2. dn SPO i. ae ts a. SI ee 37 Pedal eG round howl i Versa ys i.e Se. ce oe 38 emerge ese eee ee AG od Shc. - 2p Se A een ss 38 oS DERI LEE NNOUTE Ne ee oe Nie Se la 39 9) LES LCI AVE SST Naan eae ane A a SO a 40> Basesideo. Marsh Island.) 5.22.22. 9500.00... Tee a... | a See eee 40 Rormeriilie. Scae-plamied Eds. fho5 Sak ees a, cee ee 4t Peaereiamelle ion VeaMOnuMetitle = 2 i. ie 8 es es oie a Wk 4] MiewnideromWomee islam yo) oe OUR os ioe ls ede Ree es 42 ere ere eeTe SOIT Ae ae Se ee os we 2S oe OR, Os 42 eer wen Um CO TNT Sete a per amie Steet ules Le Se Re LI a 48 Meartelaci Noone atehess a ee eC A a Ws PRE Me OS 49 IAVEIRETE: 1B ee ikea BIO lk SOU nce a eye 2 Oo 50 Eenernvilre say, Gnchidme howl River Bay)-.:.. 2...) sph ooo 2. 50 Mississippr oound, south of Portersville: Bay - os oie. 222--22--2- 2-25. -: 50 SiO Mee Mine are sees os hk St adn Oe emt we Na NT 50 Marunencson Gonee Wieland: Gare 23s slats. bh Pea ee ee Te. 50 SHEE TOOL EW 7, 2 ches Delays 2 SSE OE eae Be emer eee 2 1. G4” ei a ae 5 TLOES! TEP SOHE 121 015 cal 6 hy Pm nS ey ol NE Sil een 51 4 CONTENTS. General physical and biological conditions: Tides and’ curretite... . 2-2. os de ke Sees ne ee Salinity of the water. ... 2. .10a4-- 22 ee ee Oyster food... -—.. 2. <)-'. < eras ie he oe se Oyster enemies. < . 2... iieitae de ae ere eS 2 SPAMMING. . 05. 2a. do BS Ee ee ha Sete ae ee Oyster culture. yo .1.-.6- Bovis cel ee Ie ee ee ee ae Résumé, conclusions, and recommendations ................................ Pescription of chart... 52.5 cue Bee eee eee ee Lee ee CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. By H. F. Moores, Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry. INTRODUCTION. At the request of the Alabama Oyster Commission, through its president, Mr. John Craft, and on the representations of the several Senators and Representatives in Congress from that State, the Bureau in February, 1910, made a preliminary examination of the oyster- producing regions of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound. It ap- peared from this examination that the oyster interests were of suffi- cient present and prospective importance to warrant a survey and report on the productive and barren bottoms of Mississippi Sound. The triangulation of the region was begun by the Coast and Geo- detic Survey, under an arrangement for cooperation between the two bureaus, during the summer of 1910, and was maintained so far in advance of the requirements of the biological and hydrographic work of the Bureau of Fisheries that the latter never suffered a moment’s delay for lack of triangulation points. Although the work performed by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in connection with this investigation is of a character not requiring treatment in the text of this report, the State authorities charged with the administration of the oyster laws should appreciate it as that part of the results which has the most enduring value. The accurately determined and substantially marked stations furnish to the State an invaluable and permanent basis for the survey and delimitation of leaseholds of barren bottom for purposes of oyster culture, and if properly used will enable Alabama to avoid the em- barrassment and litigation which elsewhere have been consequent on faulty surveys and descriptions. No survey not properly based in and referred to this triangulation should be countenanced in oyster leases granted by the State. The biological and hydrographic survey, which was conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries, began about the middle of November, 1910, when the steamer ish Hawk arrived in Mobile Bay, and it was con- cluded in May, 1911, part of the interim being employed in a similar survey in Mississippi waters. The purpose of the survey was the 5) 6 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. accurate determination of the location, extent, and condition of the natural oyster beds and the examination of the barren bottoms in relation to their adaptability to oyster culture. No oyster survey of the region covered by this report had been made previously, although the important beds adjacent to Grant’s Pass had been the subject of reconnoissance in 1894.4 METHODS OF THE SURVEY. The methods employed were those pursued in former surveys of like 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 shore 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 bot- tom 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 cham 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 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 sound- ing—that is, whether they showed barren bottom or dense, scat- tering, or very scattering growths of oysters. With the boat running at 3 miles per hour the soundings were between 80 and 90 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 Report of a reconnoissance of the oyster beds of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound, Ala., by Homer P. Ritter, assistant, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Published in Bulletin United States Fish Commission, vol. XV, 1895, p. 325-329, pl. 56-63. 6 Moore, H. F.: Condition and extent of the oyster beds of James River, Va. Bureau of Fisheries Doec- ument No. 729. OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 7 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 m respect to the desired 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 shells were tonged up, sepa- rated by sizes, and counted. This boat at each 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, Ala. Local name of oyster ground, Pass des Huitres. Date, December 29, 1910. Time, 1.05 p.m. Angle, C'193-C 194. Buoy No. 2. | Depth, 3 feet. Bottom, Hard. Condition of water, Clear. Density, 1.015. Temperature, 58° F. (ULES) 01 Fae ae a Io Stage of tide, Flood. Tongman, Bryant. No. grabs made, 6. Tongs, 10 feet. | Total area covered, 2.4 sq. yds. Ja eres takenl in., 6. 1 in.—3 Li, IDE | op —fane, 23> 4 n., 0: Quantity shells, 0. Spat per square yard, 2.5. Res ils per square yard, 45.4.- Counts per square yard, 13.7. 8 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 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 estimate 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 775 observations were made at various places, principally on the nat- ural rocks, but some on the barren bottoms also. In estimating the productiveness of the bottoms it appeared desir- able 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 with the same quantity of oysters in deep water, owing tothe 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. The classification adopted in this report is as follows: Depleted bottoms <0. ee eee Less than 25 bushels per acre. Very-scatterme orowthi "2 2 ee tee Between 25 and 75 bushels per acre. Scacvermie ‘erow this: =a. eee ee ee ee ero Between 75 and 150 bushels per acre. Denseverowth its 2.2 ee ee ice es Over 150 bushels per acre. In this classification no oysters less than 3 inches in length are considered, as the rating is made solely in respect to what are assumed to be marketable. It may therefore occur that bottom covered by an enormous growth of small oysters may be regarded, both in the text and on the chart, as depleted on account of the few large oysters which it bears. A reference to the tables which accompany the description of each bed will show cases of this kind. “Depleted bottom” is in a measure an unfortunate term, as it implies that it has retrograded in productiveness, whereas in reality in many cases it may be barren bottom gradually changing to productive. The term is employed to designate a definite present condition without regard to the past, and is retained despite its false implication, because no better has been suggested. 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. OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 9 Under the biological and economic conditions obtaining in Missis- sippi Sound in 1910-11, the bottom rated as bearing a scattering growth, on which there are more than 75 bushels of marketable oysters per acre, is regarded as the least productive bottom capable of furnishing a livelihood to the tongers. Some of the very scattering growth may be capable of supporting a fishery for market, but most of it is not. On the other hand, some of the dense growth is of a character to make it practically worthless for market purposes, and while the oysters are abundant enough, the economic conditions are not such as to warrant tonging. The barren bottom, which constitutes by far the greater part of the area covered by the survey, was examined principally with respect to the character, stability, and fixity of its constituent materials. This part of the investigation was more thorough and accurate than jn any previously conducted, principally through the use of a mud- sounding machine devised by the writer several years ago. In previous surveys the character of the bottom has been determined by the indications of the sounding lead and pole, which are largely matters of opinion and will not correspond with any accuracy in the hands of different persons. To overcome this difficulty the Bureau now employs the instrument figured on next page. It consists of a large annular bottom (P), from which rises a tripod (T, T) supporting two castings (C and C). Passing freely through shaped orifices in the castings is a steel rod (R) 464 inches long, provided with a rack and a plunger head (H) 3 inches long and § inch in diameter. Linked to the underside of the lower casting is a pawl (X) connected to the sliding weight (W), which, when at rest, engages with the rack in such manner as to prevent the fall of the rod. To use the instrument, a pole of sufficient length is inserted in the eyes at the side of the castings. The rod is raised as far as it will go and is automatically locked in position by the rack and pawl. The instrument is then lowered until it rests on the bottom and the rod is released by pulling on a line attached to an eye at the upper end of the weight. As the plunger always falls through the same distance, it strikes the bottom with a uniform impact, and the depth of its penetration is a comparative measure of the consistency of the bottom. ~ In practice, the instrument is used from an anchored boat, and to secure a representative reading from 6 to 10 tests are made close together. Any markedly aberrant readings are eliminated, on the assumption that the plunger has either come into contact with an accidental obstruction, such as a shell, or has fallen into a crabhole or other minor cavity. The average of the remaining depths of penetration, read off in inches in a scale stamped on the rod, is 10 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 1 . H i [ ELEVATION. if ce / + Sroung pol SECTION AA. Mud sounding machine used to determine character of oyster bottom. OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 11 regarded as the index of the bottom consistency. The following arbitrary scale is adopted in this report. DG LtOta. ee eee ee eS Penetration less than 4 inches. Se ieee Penetration between 4 and 8 inches. eer nee Se Se 8 os Penetration between 8 and 13 inches. 2 5 ea yet apt hell pace Mg ah ga Penetration between 13 and 18 inches. ne eee tet er emt ee es Penetration over 18 inches. On the accompanying chart the consistency of the bottom is indi- eated by symbols which are more readily read than lettering—a black cirele indicating hard bottom; a black semicircle, stiff mud; a black quadrant, soft mud; a circle containing two crossing diameters, very soft mud; and a circle with one diameter, ooze. Bottom falling within the first two classes, provided it be not shifting sand, is firm enough for oyster planting; the harder the bottom the more thickly the oysters may be planted without danger of becoming engulfed. Soft bottom should be used with care, and toward its upper limits may reouire preliminary hardening with sand or shells. Very soft bottom and ooze should not be considered. The instrument described has been given a thorough test and has shown itself to be satisfactory for the purpose of oyster surveys. Its readings are reliable where the consistency of the bottom is fairly uniform in the stratum pene- trated, but there is likely to be an error of interpretation in the case of a hard sand or shell bottom overlaid by several inches of soft mud. Such cases are readily detectable, however, by probing with a pole, as is always done where the instrument is used. In the prosecution of the work previously described, 357.1 miles of soundings were run and the chain was dragged over the bottom for the same distance, 16,960 soundings were made, and 3,340 angles for position of the boat were taken. Oysters were tonged, counted, and measured, and other biological observations made at 464 stations, and the consistency of the bottom was tested at 311 places exclusive of those on the oyster beds, a total of 775 places at which the bottom was examined. The survey covered a total area of 93,000 acres, of which 4,000 acres were oyster beds in which the sounding lines were closer together and the examinations made in more detail than on the barren bottoms. The account of the oyster beds which follows proceeds from a detailed description of the several beds, with the data of all productive observations, to a consideration of the region as a whole and the requirements for its economic development. 12 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURAL BEDS. KINGS BAYOU REEF. The name Kings Bayou Reef was somewhat doubtfully applied by the pilot to anoyster bed lying about 5 miles northeast of the end of Cedar Point. It is about 14 miles long and 4 mile wide, its greater dimension being east and west, beginning 1 mile offshore in about 3 feet of water. This is an old reef, and, like the others in this part of Mobile Bay, it is built up in places several feet above the general jevel of the bottom. At its outer or offshore end the water shoals abruptly from 10 feet on the mud bottom to 64 feet on the reef. The extent and character of the oyster growth on this bed are shown in the following table: OyYsTER GROWTH ON Kincs Bayou REEF. | Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. | Area. | Under 3} Over 3 iaches | atachies: Seed. Market. | Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Dense. ...... SEE Se Bi isl. es ee ee ee 39 296 234 11, 544 9, 126 20, 670 VieLyIS Calter epee ee eee eee ee ees 40 205 91 8, 200 3, 640 11, 840 Depleted see yaa ke arene no So sty ae see ee 3 108 6 324 18 342 OL a aie ee he elfen ee ok ine ene tera sSUAa Beste, Wile es aah eee 20, 068 12, 784 32, 852 The dense area is hook-shaped in outline and extends along the entire northern and western edges of the reef, with a brief gap near its middle, and it is probable that the reef consisted formerly of two dense areas separated by soft mud. The oysters are mostly in clusters of 8 or 9, often with very many small spat. The large oysters are long, oval, and thin edged. Very little débris was taken in the tongings. The very scattering growths cover a compact area on the south side of the bed and extending between the two limbs of the dense area. On this part of the bed the depth varies from about 7} to 10 feet, indicating that it is of more recent development than the denser parts. There is yet no considerable accumulation of shells. While the quantity of large oysters per acre is but about 40 per cent of the number found on the area of dense growth, small oysters are nearly as abundant, ranging in places between 91 and 496 bushels per acre. The depleted area is a small patch separating the two areas of dense growth above alluded to. While large oysters are scarce, there is a considerable quantity of young growth. The details of examination of Kings Bayou Reef follows. OYSTER ROTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 13 DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Kines Bayou REEF. Oysters Souent per Estimated quantity oys- | Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of ae aes meme eeenniniakions | 36 Character of growth.) | Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. | Feet. | Bush Bush. Bush a eNOve 2119105) = 9005) aDenser. -- 22:2... -- 6.5 35.5 11.0 294 176 470 | are doesn ees PPO OOK oe WOz et aaee ea 2.5 12.5 12.0 105 192 297 7, eee OSes E00) eee COteact het ae 4.5 17.5 6.0 154 96 250 Sees doest os... 1O500)|22eee OR esos see 31.2 64. 2 43.2 672 691 1,363 1 eae dozt. 222: 1000 | ee dOtAees ser. 2: 22.3 38.0} 13.1 422 209 631 alee s Om see Gso0 eee COR aeiean aes 9.5 24.5 18.0 238 288 526 63 | Nov. 22,1910 DON sea COM ee ee 10.0 ite a 9.0 148 144 292 oe eee One a x: SoOOnl ee eis @ Bets ye im Sa 14.7 32.2 9.1 328 146 474 a ee Oneness G00" pe- ORE aes eee hei 3250 10.0 307 160 467 3 | Nov. 21,1910 | 10.00 | Very scattering. --. 7.4 9.0 4.5 115 72 187 (sl eee Ota a. CGA UN esas Ole se eeek 9.1 19.8 3.3 202 53 255 Oe. GOES 5/23 SeO0s he sae Oe oe ae 4.7 18.1 3.4 151 54 205 HOS) .2 Ose. G0) iaceee OSM anes: ee 21.1 49.8 18.0 496 288 784 i) eer doe 425-2 GZ00aeas- Ok ea eee 14.0 11.5 1.6 178 26 204 is eee GOEL. =: Gs00s) Saas Or Ss eaoee- 6.7 6.3 LE 91 56 147 Ce Gees GOes 72.3 2008 SDepleted sea. 8.4 1.4 -0 69 0 69 Aare « O1G) Stee SOO) epee Os Ree ossekes 8.1 12.9 8 147 13 160 _ BUOY REEF. This reef, as defined in the present report, consists of a number of detached bodies of oysters varying from 1 to upward of 100 acres each. The name is apparently somewhat indefinitely applied, but is used here to designate the series of beds beginning with that lying south of the wreck buoy off Cedar Point and stretching northward for a distance of about 1? miles. This apparently includes all or part of what Ritter describes as Birmingham Reef. The large area lying south of the buoy is connected with Cedar Point Reef by an area of very scattering growth which doubtless marks an original line of separation between the two, over which oysters have been spread by the operation of dredges. In general all of these beds have sharply defined borders, rising abruptly a foot or two above the surrounding muddy bottom. They are resorted to principally by dredgers to whose use they are set apart by law. The oysters are in clusters. The distribution of» oysters according to density of growth is shown in the following table: OystTeER GROWTH ON Buoy REEF. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. | Under 3 | Overo Sned inches. | inches. Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. TEXTS OES ee hc SO es Use pe Dace a Coe eae ee 202 209 324 42, 218 65, 448 107, 666 SE ae ges ae at ee 34 165 108 5,610 3, 672 9, 282 iE Tye SCAULCTIIN Ds 2ys eee ry Ss to eet 19 76 62 1, 444 1,178 2,622 DE plete Cae. oo yee eee ees eae eae LN 12 29 4 348 48 396 TCG), eRe Se. aos, eG LY ON rye Spe Re A 49, 620 70,346 | 119,966 14 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. The dense growth covers about 75 per cent of the total area, and either constitutes the entirety of the several beds or forms a center fringed by less dense areas, as shown in the chart. The oysters are in clusters containing a fair proportion of large individuals. In the areas of dense growth, the market oysters exceed, numerically and in volume, the young under 3 inches in length, but on the less densely populated parts of the beds young oysters prepon- derate over the old ones. The depth of water over the areas of dense growth varies from 6 to 84 feet and on the adjacent less dense parts of the beds it is usually a foot or two deeper. A few drills were found here and some dead oysters, but in general the beds seem to be in good condition and capable of producing a good supply of oysters of indifferent quality. The market oysters on this and Kings Bayou and Cedar Point Reefs ran about 300 to the bushel, and it required over 700 of the small oysters under 3 inches in length to fill the same measure. The following examinations were made: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Buoy REEF. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of Mpls lexauunotion! © oe F Character of growth. , Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 32 ae 21, 1910 a ep oo Sa mineral bet i 2 axe a 0 Aa ae ‘ a iit | sare Onis eee SOO [24s ON os BEE Le ‘ =D Sailers ae dors S200) | oe OKO aE eae gete 215 19.0 11.7 284 187 "471 ay |S ses do S500) 32. pCa yee a ease yer 5.2 21.7 17.4 188 278 466 Sta eee doses C00 Nate One A a 11.5 37.8 19.2 345 307 652 ASS. = donkey 2 LODO ee dole 20 ea ee LL 31.0 22.8 299 365 664 AG sec do AQSOOS Se Gor eek hee 2.8 27.8 15.0 214 240 454 Don ones doe ae 1050072222 COE eee Aah ee 7.2 21.1 13.9 198 222 420 Sees do. 1LOXOOH ZEEE: CO KU) sy eate ee Mee ee 25.0 19.4 27.3 311 437 748 JOM eae dose aes 8:00) eee CORSA Le. Seen 7.4 20.0 13.5 192 216 408 98 | Nov. 22,1910 S2a0 esos GOAsA ce seats ent 16.3 39.0 168 625 793 39 ee 21, 1910 SOON eae a EG ai See oe fae ae an a oan AQ eae Olee aa TeOO seen (Oat Me : i ; 86 ON: 22, 1910 2 GU ene ae Be eat ae | < ae ae ap ae ac oi | aaeor Dacohesce 003 eee On seeeis css . : i 88 Be Pe GO eee SHO. beset Comer se eae 8.3 24.3 20.4 228 327 555 27 | Nov. 21,1910 COO MP pe ClO yes BAe nee 2.8 Rene og a an oe QO Seas Gi@sensuee S007 hea Goa ee 10.0 32. fe SOneoeee doze: (00 |seece DO 25 PAROS te 3 10.9 10.9 7.8 153 125 278 a | ee do. 9: 00u 2 Cola eas cree eer, 6.5 13.0 18.0 136 288 424 A ee age do. (A00)| eee” Ose mene eae eal 14.5 13.7 109 219 328 Die Geeee do. LOS OO. | 28 Gor si Sutter 7.8 20.4 pili! 197 178 375 DSU aes Gore ee OU leas GO es eae es 8.2 19.6 8.2 195 131 326 O2ieees Chosesoueae 95008 |beae- CLO etsree SS atte 12.0 22.5 13.0 242 208 450 ee eee a3) ice] 5] in) ga] OW eae ne One aaa nO te Soyer OSes oe eS : 6 5 OYe eres ses 60 poled eS SuOOH tear do mores ears 18.3 16.1 34.8 241 556 797 G4 See do. SE00Neeere GOs Ae eae 0) 24.5 6.5 172 104 276 Cou ERs GOs Se WOOO tessee G0) = 2 4.5 8.9 12.8 94 205 299 100 dos thee: 9: 50) se dois Gk 1.0 Bo 17.9 29 286 315 LOL ae dog ae: S00 Nee does Nee 10.0 We 30.4 194 487 681 1O2 ee down Oe50 ile Gol, Weis Sanat 14.7 18.4 1}, 232 243 475 HOG eo eee do.:. (6G) Wear dO 26. ous 15.6 22.8 22.8 269 365 634 24 | Nov. 21,1910 G50 nears dOe 2 ek es we oe a = ae ae DO) Wires do... 6500) (e228 Gols eh. cham : : 31. 36 RAs a@o.-:. 2 900s es. dot sees cae 5.0 47.5 22.0 367 352 719 105 | Nov. 22, 1910 G0) jaseoe dos ieee hece 5.5 14.2 33.4 138 535 673 os ndncelrs | --ingtS Slee mee a oe 30/450; 205| 336) 474 B10 53 | bide. all 99.100)| dog coca 5, AI ae AMO ea nnRNO ste 84 200 284 | See | eee erie Ce sande Geesoce: : re UO Le ine eee ee ; : : 20 | Nov. 21, 1910 SHOOH Aes COLA Se se aes 4 17.0 14.0 123 224 347 Spee dOs eas 9 00 ns25. Gore eal Mo 30.5 34.0 J 266 542 808 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. ua) DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Buoy RerEr—Continued. Oysters ey per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angl Date of eI Stel No. examination. ae Character of growth. | ST ee = | Spat. | Culls. |Counts.) Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 16 | Nov. 21,1910 SHOR MDensek =. 228 ss 5e52 3.4 29.7 9.4 232 150 | 382 1 eae De SnCese SI00u i see~ (0 (0) ene ie anette 2.5 9.0 9.9 81 158 239 66 | Nov. 22,1910 SOON RSs - 2 COns 2: Bases 1.3 13.0 oti 100 139 239 LT eed Osze2aces Sc00u|ee se OKO ees IOS 4.4 21.8 27.4 183 438 621 47 | Nov. 21,1910} 10.00 |} Scattering. .......-. 4.5 15.0 8.9 136 142 278 eee G0ne.s8 2 OECD iaasee Ore t cores score 5.0 14.0 5.0 133 80 213 i ee do.. S200! |zec COR. Seca eee 13.5 9.1 5.7 158 91 249 Ae oie Ones oe 10300) )|2-2 2 GOSS J oe8 acs 2.8 6.1 5.0 62 80 142 Ue as do... BOO tere: dO 2 See os 14.8 33.0 9.1 335 145 480 37h eee do... 7.50 | Very scattering. ... 5.6 3.6 2.8 64 45 109 99 | Nov. 22, 1910 Me OOM one Onteiss 2 eee sicee 8.9 10.0 6.3 132 101 233 <8hl eee Osteo. c.2 OsOONessse GOne se: Geeta see 6.0 13.0 3.5 133 56 189 15 | Nov. 21,1910 9:00) |. 22: OE eesanemomes -0 -0 4.0 0 64 64 HOM ee WOE eee 9s OO 2 sey GO ee scee seek’ .0 2.5 2.0 17 32 49 7 | Nov. 22,1910 | 10.00 |----- Gons-b se 5-55. 6.7 8.9 4.5 109 72 181 Ae) Noy. 21 1910)). 10.00 | Depleted..-....--- -0 1.2 .0 8 0 8 89 | Nov. 22,1910 | 10.00 |-.--..- GOL ek Se sis2 ee 0 -0 0 0 0 0 BOMeNOV. 2), 1910), 1100: |: x2 3 0 (0 a eee -0 -0 0) 0 0 0 20 See Goreeee s+ LTAOOM 2 32 GOS Ce seh et 7.3 6.0 .0 93 0 93 Ailes | Pease CO Seee ens 11.00) io seen GOm Reis he ee 7.8 Ho oil 105 18 123 LOT | Nov. 2251910) 10:00 | -2 2. GOwsheset Ses: 0 -0 a0) 0 0 0 44 | Nov. 21,1910 | 12.00 |----- C0 (0) Mee Sa te 0 -0 a ) 11 11 CEDAR POINT REEF. This is a long, narrow bed extending from the end of Cedar Point for a distance of about 14 miles toward the wreck buoy. It is now connected with the southernmost bed of Buoy Reef by a very scat- tering growth lying on what was comparatively recently barren bottom, the original zone of separation being indicated by a narrow gully carrying 84 feet of water lying between depths of about 6 feet on the adjacent parts of the two reefs. It is probable that this very scattering growth is the artificial product of dredging operations. The area, density of growth, and estimated content of small and market oysters are shown in the following table: OYSTER GROWTH ON CEDAR Pornt REEF. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Under 3 | Over3 inches. inches. Character of oyster growth. Area. Seed. | Market. | Total. i Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. TE SPAS ELS a i Ur et ee i me ee 100 140 340 14, 000 34, 000 48, 000 “S(GEULPST EL OY Ne ee em hc | 21 121 130 2, 541 2,730 5, 271 Wenysscattverntme: 2282.20. 2b Sa Nee 24 36 41 864 984 1, 848 PER LCUC CMM aa ete meio er age eco Mek ef 56 89 0 4,984 | 0 4, 984 WO DO re de nee, ER RON K eA PAV | AS URtaR oa I AEM Messe ec aier t a 22, 389 37,714 60, 103 The reef consists of a narrow ridge of very dense growth extending from the gully above mentioned, flanked by scattering and very scattering growths along the southern edge of its offshore half and on the northern edge of its inshore half by a fringe which gradually 65397 °—13——2 16 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. decreases shoreward from a scattering growth to a depleted area which extends to low-water mark. For the outermost mile of its length the reef is hardly more than 200 yards in width and the dense growth averages about 100 yards wide. Within a half mile of shore the dense area expands and curves southward to connect with the corresponding area of Pass des Huitres bed. The proportion of market oysters to small ones is generally high throughout this dense area and is relatively much lower on the less densely populated bottoms. As has been already stated, the scattermg and very scattering growths occur as fringes along the edges of the dense growth. The depleted area expands on the shoreward part of the reef, extending from the dense growth to the shore, as widely scattered clusters of small oysters lying on the sand. These clusters le in very shoal water, and although the growth was not examined with care, it appa- rently extends for some distance northward from the end of Cedar Point. The depth of water lying over Cedar Point Reef varies from 64 feet at its outer end to less than 2 feet at the inner edge of the area of dense growth. The surrounding water is generally about 2 feet deeper than over adjacent parts of the reef. The following table shows in detail the results of the examinations made on the bed: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF CEDAR Point REEF. | Oysters couent per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of i é Nol ascent toid BN, Character of growth. , Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. Total. (ter Svan ae stk ie! SSS Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 38 | Nov. 21,1910 CVOO |) IDES. booosessooss To 60. 0 44.5 473 706 | 1,179 ZL ee Gorse kes GROOR sees CORA yates 8.0 19.4 19. 4 192 310 | 502 LON else Gow eae le E00 llecese GOs eee ene 4.8 DANE (5) 23.0 184 368 552 69 | Nov. 22,1910 Gx00n|Sasee dot saree ae 1.6 9.0 6.8 74 109 183 OMe ees GORE Ease HCD locos doses Shs 5.9 9.0 9.7 104 155 259 Tae Ss do. O00 |esoue Owe Mews ses 6.7 17.8 23.3 172 373 545 ff do.. S8CD Ieaoae (OKO ore Sere 14.0 14.6 19.4 200 310 510 Ln ee (Chieti ena TAOD boaae LOM eee tees oe 16.0 4.0 9.3 140 149 | 289 (ie eee done fesse" 550) las do. 10.5 12.6 1562, 162 243 | 405 Sl see dG. S500) |s2ee2 GORE Fw iween os 6.0 iS 18.0 93 288 | 381 oe ra a GOs soe Ssbi SHO) Wee e CONE esis eats 4.0 Piles 24.6 219 394 613 SA late te Our ete (e00F| eo eee Gort ee eae 1.9 13.0 17/4) 104 278 382 oA ese do. Gx000|2eae= COR stele. 1.0 18.4 Si 4 136 564 7 CBee oe COhidene eae Eyl oaae CLO re lib .0 8.5 16.5 59 264 323 TOSal eae 5 (0 nue a ae TU es GOs ee 4 =e 8.9 30.4 67 487 554 OOS) eee do. OL 00i Benes GO sei oooh 6 11.9 14.7 87 236 323 Onn dort ROO We sese C6 Commer tc pee me 2.4 726 44.8 140 717 857 nt AG ber eae Gosgee 05 eO0 sees Ce esr eee BS -0 20.6 5 Syd 1) 337 Ife |e ee CO te HOON aoe GOs Te ne es -0 fel itil, 4! 50 182 232 SANE tee do. (00) /E Scattering seeene ees 2.6 6.7 7.8 65 125 190 TASH NS Sy. 3 do. GROOM eee MO sess Peer 283 19.0 8.1 219 130 349 rhea teat MOu sre BibO eee do ers Yn (ee) 8.4 78 134 | 212 43 | Nov. 21,1910 9.00 | Very scattering. -.. .0 -0 .0 0 0 0 82 | Nov. 22,1910 BOOr see GOe rico eget 2.0 6.0 Past 56 43 99 AGEs oe a GOsS (see Sx008|Seeee do Paawe sey Se 2.0 3.3 37 53 90 3) do... OBOO MSS se GOs ae Tt 5.5 3.8 46 61 107 Wer aie takes do.. GOO esace CO eee a) 5.0 z.8 43 45 88 68) (Se oe do.. 6.50 | Depleted.........-. Ny Ba a -0 89 0 89 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 17 PASS DES HUITRES BED. This isa bed of indeterminate boundaries, being continuous with Cedar Point bed on the north and on the south with Pass des Huitres Flats and the whole series of beds extending to Dauphin Island Bay inside of Grants Pass and as far as Pass Drury in Mobile Bay. The names applied by the oystermen to the beds in the vicinity of Grants Pass designate general localities rather than defined beds, and for the purposes of this report their boundaries have been arbitrarily selected and are not definitely indicated on the chart. For this reason the areas assigned to the several beds may differ somewhat from those which would be regarded by others as proper, but as the excess or deficiency of one bed is compensated for by decreasing or increasing its neighbors, the total area of all of the beds, which is the important fact, is not affected. Pass des Huitres bed takes its name from a channel having about 13 feet in its deepest part and shoaling to 4 feet or less at each end, which sweeps in a curve about 350 yards off the end of Cedar Point. Its area and the conditions of its oyster growth are shown in the following table: OYSTER GROWTH ON Pass pes Hurtres Bep. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. | Character of oyster growth. Area. | Under 3 | Over 3 ached. nachos Seed. Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels, | Bushels. 53 365 3 IDIOTS. 5 winter eee eee oe ere or aa oe 5 19,345 16,059 35, 404 SUSE LESSEE eae pe ea ec a 30 213 92 6,390 2, 760 9, 150 OCU re tcc Sea se aeotenes Siete Pym aera es eel Ssh eee alte vee ees 25, 735 18,819 44,554 The dense growth hes principally south and east of the channel, though some of the bottom most prolific of market oysters is in the deepest water. Most of the marketable oysters are between 3 and 4 inches long, but in the deeper water the proportion of larger ones is greater than elsewhere. There is a good ratio of single oysters and small clusters on this bed and the shape is therefore better than on the beds previously described. The quality at the time of exami- nation was fair. The scattering growth hes north of the channel on the edge of the barren bottom extending to Cedar Pomt. The oysters on this area of hard sand and shell bottom are nearly all single or in small clusters. There were, in December, 1910, practically no oysters over 4 inches in length and a great abundance of individuals less than 3 inches long. 18 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. The following table exhibits the data obtained from the examina- tion made of this bed: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF PASS DES HuITRES BED. be | Ovsters caught per Estimated quantity oys- s Jepth | square yard, ters per acre. Angle Date of | Nee ed ae cp eee No. } examination. at Character operon ian ii ] ) | Spat. | Culls. ic ounts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. | Siem tei lins tr wl ‘| | Feet | | Bush. Bush. | Bush. BAD EC. 2ONOLON So sD0) MD CUSe pee m ener ate 1.8 31.8 6.4 239 104 339 Pres ae fig PONS I oh as EL ce ens ica P pBOHOg| Bed!) 9/280 288 498 GAT Wee 2.) 0 ho er al DOOn somes ro Ko pagans pegs bee 1557 77.5 20.6 654 330 984 AAD os [arr OO ie | eclee rs do. bese vaca hae 0 71.3 23.2 499 372 871 496) Jalen oleaod ly) 2700n wees do. 2.0 33.9 17.5 249 280 529 AQT eae Goes 2d) 1 ZeGOn ee ae C6 Ko RR rit 0 48.8 18.9 342 302 644 9350) | Jano Ole OO ease = Gone eet he 4.1 69.7 25.0 486 400 S86 Spy ve ae do. Be OO ee oe Cs Coe So ee 4.5 30.9 21.8 248 350 598 448 | Dec. 29, 1910 a 4.00 | Seattering......--- 5.5 13.0 6.5 129 104 233 450 |..... do... rom OOM aes GOL aRe sealant 2.5 33.2 5.0 250 80 330 Apia shee rN Un eee GOs hat nek 3.5 40.1 7.5 305 120 425 532 | Jan. 5,1911 TsO Sosce Gon [Ae ot aie 4.8 19.2 4.0 168 64 232 PASS DES HUITRES FLATS. This bed, contiguous with the preceding and the following, hes on the shallow flats south of Pass des Huitres, where the depth at low water ranges from 6 inches to 2 feet, excepting on the western side, where a depth of 5 feet is found on the edge of the area of very scat- tering growth. The area, density of growth, and total content a oysters on the bed as arbitrarily defined in this report are shown in the following table: OyYsTER GROWTH ON Pass DES HuirrRes FLATs. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3} Over 3 watches: aphied! Seed. Market. Total. ipypaees Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Torso een We as Ones a cee 122 296 304| 36,112 | 37,088 73, 200 Scab Lenimes (oe an aah es noe tel mem ance meat 41 131 139 5, 371 5, 699 11, 070 Very scattorimge.. -s.cok es ok We se ee 39 26 46 1,014 1, 794 2, 808 MS teal aes gta a aS eda et aS A ee POSH ey Maa Ma Ree Os Gy 42,497 | 44,581 87,078 The dense growth les in the part of the bed toward Mobile Bay, where it commences as a sharply defined ridge rising abruptly from a depth of about 3 feet over the mud to about 1 foot near the edge of the oysters. The eastern part of the dense area is composed of a mass of shells, but in the western part there are some sandy areas covering a shelly substratum. The scattering growth merges with the western edge of the dense area where the water begins to deepen, and this in turn passes grad- ually to an area of very scattering oysters lying on soft mud in which OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 19 are many buried shells. The majority of the oysters on this part of the bed are large, over 4 inches in length, while elsewhere, particu- larly on the dense growth, there are comparatively few such oysters, and most of the smaller ones, both market oysters and culls, are in large closely compacted clusters. The data gathered by the several examinations on this bed are as follows: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Pass DES HuITRES FLaTs. Oysters cought per | Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of of /|Character of Lore Ores are growth.|_ No. | examination. | \, akon Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 442 | Dec. 29,1910 $2005|) Dense@ase eo. <8 2. = 6.3 35.8 18.7 295 299 594 i BY Sees GOve ss SEU) esse doe sacs eens 2.5 45. 4 IBS 346 219 565 BAG hey) Ce BE(XU) |inwcce GOs sevetetee 10.0 45.4 Vitel 388 274 662 1" ae Goze astss: 5 aD) lee coe GOr eee se ee 20% 10.0 10.0 89 160 249 489 | Jan. 1,1911 HES ee GO ee acne 320 55. 5 42.0 414 672 1,086 490) |-=-. doe: 5730) eae. se OSes ee oats .0 8.0 6.0 56 96 152 AGN [2225 do.. 2250 Fare GOs (a2, 34.2 23.2 290 372 662 AGO ees do. 1RAOT Rese (Cae See ee 3.6 30. 5 11.4 239 182 421 re eee GOs eee 2) eset GOS Seat eae 50) 67.5 38.0 473 604 1,077 494 |..... do. 2A00 near CO sae eae 0 29.0 115 203 183 386 AGS ios. Gore OX - 2 AO ene GOs nema 5.0 61.7 17.8 467 284 751 488 |...-- Osean: 2:80) Scattering: -22-2--- 6 18.1 8.7 131 139 270 453 | Dec. 29,1911 6.00 | Very scattering... . 0 3.6 2.9 26 46 72 DUTCH GULLY. Dutch Gully bed lies in and about an area of slightly deeper water between Pass des Huitres Flats on the north and Big Gully and Dutch Island beds on the south. The depth of the water ranges from about 6 inches to 3 or 4 feet, the latter depth lying on the area of scattering growth. Although this bed, like the others in the vicinity, is without well defined boundaries, it is assumed in this report to have approximately the following area, density of growth, and oyster content: OYSTER GROWTH ON DutcH GULLY BED. Character of oyster growth. Oysters per acre. Area. | Under 3 | Over 3 jnches. inches. Bushels. 206 222 Bushels. 253 Acres. 39 101 Estimated content of oysters. Seed. Market. Total. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. 8,034 9, 867 17,901 4,218 1,919 6, 137 12,252 11, 786 24,038 The dense growth, which lies principally in a depth of less than 24 feet, occupies the central part of the bed. The clusters generally are small with a considerable proportion of single oysters. The 20 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. market oysters are of medium size, most of them being between 3 and 4 inches long with a few of greater length. The young growth is prolific. The areas of scattering growth are two, lying respectively to the east and west of the dense growth in slightly deeper water. In these areas the oysters are generally in clusters, lying on a hard bottom. The young growth is slightly more abundant than on the denser portions of the bed. The following table expresses the details of the several examinations made on the bed: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF DutTcH GULLY. | | Oysters caught per | Estimated quantity oys- \ Depth square yard. | ters per acre. Angle Date of a ed cg ate ah a4) | Note texamniciation ee Character of growth. | | Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. | | ——— | Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 475 | Dec. 31,1910 WS | DEMS Sassoéosdes = 2.3 31.3 1633 235 245 480 476 |.-..-- Ose eee | UG (0) (See GO Ba seen sa 1.3 PAY 8) | 16.8 172 269 441 ATi eee GORE Somes DRO eels COLE Re Woes 8 22.2 15.4 211 246 457 ASOi | ese COMBA G 42 iB} |) Sieaini@nine. 55-552 79533 33. 1b | 8.5 248 136 384 AST ee GOs aes LeQie eee. GORE ess ee 9.6 18.3 4.2 196 67 263 WEST, SIDE OF DUTCH ISLAND. Dutch Island is a small shell bank called Gull Island on the Coast Survey charts. The oyster bed designated by the name used above extends from the western edge of the island to barren bottom, between Dutch Guily and Peter Billy’s Gully. The following table exhibits in summary the data relating to this bed: OyvsteR GROWTH ON WEST SIDE or DutcH ISLAND. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. | Under 3 | Over3 | ipheen Ganon Seed. Market. | Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. WONSE? eto eek rate every NTN 42 322 279 13, 524 11, 718 25, 242 Scattering). ee) aa SS ee 21 298 99 6, 258 2,079 8, 337 Depleted... na ws au ee ean ean eee 24 165 | 130 "a8. S60 312 4,272 Motalieh sthe Wt wh Ole AA ee S/R yee pe Bh Say | 23,742 14, 109 37, 851 Close to Dutch Island there is an area of hard shelly bottom with a growth of densely clustered irregular-shaped small oysters, prac- tically devoid of market stock. Over most of this area the water is very shallow, reaching a maximum of 2 feet. To the westward of this is an area of dense growth, most of which lies in water from 2 to 4 feet deep, with a maximum of about 5 feet at its western edge. On this part of the bed there are few oysters over 4 inches long, most of OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. Hk the so-called market stock being between 3 and 4 inches in length and growing in heavy clusters. The scattering growth lies in a zone between the dense growth and the soft muddy bottom of Mississippi Sound in an average depth of water of about 5 feet. Practically none of the oysters of marketable size are over 4 inches long. On both this area and on the bottom covered with dense growth young oysters are abundant, varying from 180 to 546 bushels per acre, with an average density of over 300 bushels per acre. The following data state the results of the examinations made on this bed: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF DutcH ISLAND. Oysters ponent per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of | 7 Sar | of {Character of growth. No. eee on Sorter = Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. | Feet. Bush. Bush. Bush. 436 | Dec. 29,1910| 4.50 | Dense............. AAD ON 5BUS nL Ny4 408 228 636 7 dose 00. Pees ie oe eee | 5 | 95.5 | 12.5 182 200 382 ee |. Gees BHOO! eee donee ay S16) | WS le. 204 546 470 | 1,016 473 | Dec. 31,1910| 1.00 |..... doy awed... | | OT NE TIGA) 224 270 494 ee gee (53200 [ees dome Ac! (eazeae, pascal ano 252 227 479 433 | Dec. 29,1910} 5.00 | Scattering......... 6.2| 44.5 5.6 355 88 443 emda... -- HS Sali bea dope es OSA a ENO 6.8 241 109 | - 350 472 | Dec. 31,1910| 3.00 | Depleted.......... lip Peer none: ie | 165 13 | 178 BIG GULLY. This bed, which it is understood is also known as Grants Pass Gully, lies between the dolphin, or cluster of piles marking the eastern entrance to Grants Pass, and Dutch and Grant Islands. The depth of water varies from 9 or 10 feet close to the dolphin to less than 1 foot near the island. The area of density of growth and total content of small and marketable oysters are shown in the following table: OysTER GROWTH ON BiG GULLY BED. . Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3 | Over 3 pene meee: aachicdl Seed. Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. INGE Se bas Same es OER eee ae eS ere 44 284 310 12, 496 13, 640 26, 136 SUCRE Fi G) ni 0 CS eee a 10 277 80 2,770 800 3,570 AD GN UCC Se obese eee Here Seat Saee 11 0 0 0 0 0 TR EE es eRe ae SR a ee Gan Sete cs Nee eee 15, 266 14, 440 29, 706 In the deeper water close to the dolphin and for a distance of 200 or 300 yards west and northwest in the area indicated as ‘‘depleted”’ on the chart, there are practically no oysters, either large or small, the bottom being composed in large part of soft mud with buried nr 22 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. shells. The area of scattering growth lies south and west of this in a depth of water between 1 and 5 feet. Although this part of the bed bears but about one-fourth as many market oysters per acre as are found on the dense area, there are practically as many small ones. The bottom bearing the dense growth of market oysters lies between that just described and Dutch and Grant Islands, its western limit being defined by the very shallow water extending from Dutch toward Grant Pass. The depth of the water ranges from about 1 to 5 feet and the market oysters vary in quantity from 160 to upward of 600 bushels per acre. The densest growth occurs north of Grant Island, and on the steps lying between that point and Gull Island there is a large proportion of single oysters, a considerable number of them being large. The foregoing description is based in part on the data shown in the following table: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Bia GULLY (GRANTS Pass GULLY). | Oysters erent per Estimated quantity oys- y | Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Daie of aoe pee we No. | examination. | ster. Charaeter of Stow th: Te ap ae bo) se Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. | } Seeman eee aericaen| Wa cml (arma Smee leHeets | Bush. Bush. Bush 478 | Dee. 31,1910 | 540) (Dense see see 0.6 30.0 19.4 214 311 525 ASOW| Eee ee Gores eee | SRO Gees do. 2 Sena Ee su 27.4 10.0 213 160 373 482 |.....do a i Se eas Pe eat ee a 1.07, ©5020, | 8830 357 604 961 484 |..... doxs4sss5 TGs SO ee Sake wes 4.1 46.0 10.4 351 166 O17 ctl pate doses 222" 12h SE SGauueRhn mae: saree 12 38.4 5.0 277 80 357 Aes dow ee} 7:0'| Depleted) 22 0 0 0 0 | 0 | 0 | PETER BILLYS GULLY. This lies opposite Big Gully and on the west side of the shallow water lying south of Dutch Island. It includes the oysters iying between the bed on the west side of Dutch Island and Grants Pass bed and is continuous with both. Its area, character of oyster growth, and contents are shown in the following table: OysTER GROWTH IN PETER Bittys GULLY. | Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. | sah ene l nder 3 | ver 3 Saree : RnGhes il inchest Seed. Market. |} Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Dense: i: 0 Fosse See eek 39 324 245 12, 636 9,555 22, 192 Very scathening!: 2.8 oe ce Cee a 14 | 40 38 560 532 1,092 Benleted:: Ss tee os tee ean ee se ee es 28 | 0 | 6 0 168 168 a a | Total... hea" Weare eee URI AY jucod hal eRe 13,196 | 10, 255 23,451 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 23 The eastern part of this bed is a small area of very scattering growth lying north of a long shell bank west of Grants Island. It lies in the very shoal water which stretches north to Gull Island, on a deposit of an inch or two of soft mud on a substratum of hard sand and shells. The oysters are small and poor. West of this lies the dense growth covering an area of about 39 acres in a depth of water varying from 1 to 5 feet. This bottom consists of densely com- pacted sand and shells, with oysters of the raccoon type in clusters. On the western border of this growth there is a depleted area on which there are few oysters of any size. The bottom changes gradually from hard sand and shell close to the dense area to soft mud with buried shells on the western border of the bed. DeTaILs OF EXAMINATION OF PETER BiLLys GULLY. | | Oysters eouee per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of of (Character of growth No. | examination. eae —— Spat. | Culls. |Courts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. Bush. Bush. 428 | Dec. 29,1910 DOOM DONSer an essen «care 5.6 38. 7 15.6 310 250 560 iS eee COee a see Hs SE ON a GOR ade ae 4.4 76.1 yes 564 248 812 23-6] eee Teeth ALOO heec 2: COM ee eee 4.0 58. 0 26. 5 434 424 858 468 | Dee. 31,1910 SHU Lees OA see ees The 30. 4 ts:2 221 179 400 aA Ohy (eee tere ee. TOO GOe 2 eee .0 21.9 9.7 153 153 308 72) NA eee GO a ares SOO | Eee GLO eae See ren ee 35.8 11g. 8° 263 213 476 469 |....- 6 (ope ele 1.50 | Very scattering. .-_.- .0 57) 2.4 40 38 7 430 | Dec. 29,1910 S250) Depleted!= 23252524. .0 .0 ai 0 uh 11 23): 5) aaa OO eRe iam G00 te she. CORES sere ny .0 .0 0 0 0 0 GRANTS PASS. Grants Pass is a dredged channel cut through the oyster beds which extend as a practically unbroken reef from Cedar Point to Little Dauphin Island and separate Mobile Bay from Mississippi Sound. The channel itself carries a mmimum depth of about 11 feet, but at the Mobile Bay end the water shoals to about 84 feet, and opposite the western or Mississippi Sound end to about 64 feet at low water. There is a row of 7 dolphins or clusters of piles for 25 to 60 yards north of the thread of the channel. The oyster bed designated by the name of this pass is here arbitrarily assumed to lie not only in the deep water of the channel, but to extend as a strip about 200 to 250 yards wide on each side of the row of piles above described, with the exception of the cluster at the Mobile Bay end, which is assumed to lie in Big Gully bed. This bed was extensively worked by tongers during the period of;the survey and with Pass aux Herons, which adjoins it to the south, produced the bulk of the oysters taken by tonging in the winter of 1910-11. The extent and productiveness of this bed are shown on the table following. 24 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. OysTER GROWTH IN GRANTS PAss. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. AE. | = —— Under 3 | Over 3 ~ A aericn! inches. | Seed. | Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. DONS Be be hee hth cick eds ER a eee 64 275 359 17,600 22,976 | 40,576 SCAUHORIM eee ek Oo Oe ie a a ee ee 21 159 112 3,339 2,352 5,691 DSMlete dese ec Bic aie aot iee ee ee ees 42 70 22 2,940 924 3, 864 4 MEM TEE A Pom fore eral laity ie 127 | Hi GA | edie bss) 23,879 | 26,252 50, 131 About one-half of the area included within this bed is covered by a dense growth of market oysters, the eastern half being especially productive. The oysters are larger than most of those produced in this region and of better shape. There are many in the channel, . especially south and east of Grants Island, but on account of the deep water, which reaches a maximum of 19 feet, and the strong currents the work is arduous at most times, and most of the tonging is done in depths of from 3 to 5 or 6 feet on the south side of the eastern half of the channel. No boats were observed at work on the north side of the row of dolphins. The scattering growth on this bed lies in two patches—one of about 13 acres surrounding Grants Island and the other of about half the size between the easternmost two channel marks and continuous with the similar growth on Big Gully bed. The oysters in the latter area are somewhat larger and better than those surrounding Grants Island. The depleted bottom les at the western end of the bed, between the dense growth and the barren bottom. Both the young and the mar- ket oysters here lie in patches of varying productiveness. The following table shows the character of this bed at the several places at which detailed examinations were made: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF GRANTS PAss. Oysters cauene per Estimated quantity of : Depth square yard. oysters per acre. Station Date of ‘ y a wae Catton v Character of growth wate Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 180 | Nov. 24,1910 7,00) |; Dense Aa sae 6.7 Bile, I 25. 6 265 410 675 299 | Dec. 8,1910 A 30) Ween = COS as Maes 14.5 14.5 17.0 203 272 475 425 | Dec. 29,1910 DOOR Pees dosti ae 7.5 23.8 17.5 219 280 499 AQGN| tee donates G0) eso C6 Kojapey cra si pte 10. 6 31.8 20. 6 297 330 627 ADT Shete Ome sar AVOO | 22a GOreT eae 6 46.5 16.5 326 264 590 Gps) || dina. SL | OO) NW 2 Se Got i aaeeeeree 10.8 30. 0 23.3 281 373 654 5260 |Reeae dose hays 1.00)! o2 ye dos. 5. 0 25. 0 45.0 210 720 | 930 528 |e sees Gore: oe 14.00 |..-.-- GOs 2 aaa eee 10. 0 51. 0 20. 0 427 320 747 529) see Ok seat TOO) aes dose fspiy: SAREE 2.5 32.5 16.6 245 265 510 178 | Nov. 24,1910 6) 25) |;SCa theres =sA—- ee 5a 1352 fed 129 123 252 UE) gets One ares (3.5.0) |] 2h (opie RL Ss alee at 5.5 Teal 158 114 272 481 | Dec. 31,1910 2500) Nes do-35 sh ae 17.4 21. 2 5.5 271 88 | 309 527 | Jane 5) 191i LS SOOR emer dO: 2 eee 5. 4 5.9 fe 79 123 | 202 300 | Dee. 8,1910 4°50) Depleted =. 2-52 see: i133, 3) 6.1 .0 136 0 136 Ul fees Goss seen HH sh0) eu we GOW See Be Semen .0 0 1.3 0 21 21 422 | Dec. 29,1910 5HSOO Rees C6 (0 ee Som 3.3 0 .0 23 07 23 AN tie OS eee GD) Oe ve COR eee: 2.0 3.3 bi 3} 37 85 | 122 424 |... donee S010) HE use = COs 3.5 See 17.5 4.2 4 152 6 158 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 25 PASS AUX HERONS. This bed is continuous with the preceding and the following, without any definite demarcation of its boundaries. It surrounds a hole or blind pass from which it takes its name, in which there is a maximum depth of water of about 18 feet. The depth rapidly decreases, the water becoming quite shoal on each side and at the western end, although a draft of 5 or 6 feet can be carried on to the eastern end at low water. This is in every respect the most important and prolific of the beds examined, and with the exception of Sand Reef, which has little or no present economic importance, it is, as arbitrarily defined here, the largest. The following table summarizes the data relating to its extent, character of oyster growth, and content of oysters: OysTER GROWTH IN Pass AUX HERONS. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under3 Over3 Seed. | Market. inches. | inches. | | | Total. | | Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. TOES Bae ccs RCTS eS ea Oa PALI 233 520 49,163 | 109,720 158, 883 Bement 14 | 32 94 448 | 1,316 1,764 Miemaceatecring 2.52). ee 43 78 53 3,354 | 2,279 5, 633 ere tee et et US oar ee 24 15 | 4 | 360 | 96 456 BG tcl lence Grmh Ay Aare Tae i DS PAN D cegutce Wabi logecseceas |) G33, 33245) 113, 411 166, 736 A dense growth having an average content of 520 bushels of market oysters per acre covers nearly 75 per cent of the entire area assumed for this bed, and in one place there are 1,170 bushels of market oysters and 1,494 bushels of all sizes per acre. The densest part of the bed les between the deep water of the pass and Grants Pass, principally south and southeast of Grants Island. There is also a very dense area in a peninsula-like projection into Mobile Bay, about east of Grants Island and surrounded on the northeast and west by soft mud. During the winter of 1910-11 there were many tongers operating on these areas of very dense growth, and the best oysters produced in large quantities came from them. A larger proportion of oysters over 4 inches long was found here than at any other place examined in this vicinity. The areas of scattering growth occur in small patches of 9 and 4 acres, respectively, at the eastern or western limits of the bed. In the larger area the oysters are similar to those on the dense growth, with a considerable proportion of large ones of fair shape and quality. There are three areas of very scattering growth, one at the eastern edge of the peninsula above referred to, another along the western 26 OYSTER BOTTOMS. OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. edge of the dense area and the third separated from the preceding by a narrow belt of depleted bottom and continuous with the scat- tering growth at the western limit of the bed, the two constituting practically a small detached bed. Angle No. t DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Pass AuX HERONS. Date of examination. Nov. 23,1910 ee do. ares Noy. 24,1910 Nov. 24, 1910 Dec. 8, 1910 Noy. 24,1910 Dee. 8,1910 7, 1910 8, 1910 Dee. Dee. Depth | square yard. of Character of growth.|_ water. | | Spat. Culls. |Counts. | Feet. | 9.00 | Dense oes ae 0.0 1.0 6.0 S00 Rosece 6 Lee rent skate iB 4.4 7.0 20.0 Ne eos COE Aus EUSA ed 10.0 20. 7 CeOO tees GOS sere cee: 8.9 20.3 32.2 GION Aes GOCE ee eee 8.1 22.5 30.0 TORO) Wee cee WOLF ee (pe: 38.3 46.7 A500 eeeee Goss RARE 5.2 33.2 36.4 See AS Be LORE See CRORES 14.0 22.9 10.5 AGO) eee GOs ea 3: eee 41.8 61.3 15.3 COU Bee WO Sa SO SSS 11.8 24.1 39.6 Dele Bases GORGE aS 4.2 32.3 38. 4 G250 eee Ose the ee 16.6 B17 28.3 GrQ0 Fee OO eeea ee 11.9 40.0 FERS Spoil) |i oe ats CORE yee as al 26.3 36.3 a O0s ee dGG es ees 11.9 34.4 73.3 dG F. Lee OA RN a 11.1 41.8 38.6 GeO We are iL Mah OLE 15023} S629 19.0 6. 00 | t Raat GOL Gee Aare ie 3.9 49.5 58.9 WOU aeons GOs sebeear sae 8.0 50.8 56. 7 AE QQ3 ese GOs eae ea 2.9 28.6 38.8 3.60) MOS eh CENT | eH BRT 60.0 SOOUs Seca. OS RR ai 6.2 20.3 25.9 Seu) osee QO Ree 2.8 34.8 23.8 BS OON Sata HOG. Mase se 8.9 18.1 58.9 SCO} scene GO ece hee 2.4 39.5 36.7 ACAQ Tee ass GOS .0 18.8 20.8 ois 6 LOE ese Svea e 3.0 18.2 38.5 SOOM Eee COS eek coe ces MAS 18.5 50.8 BGO! ess UOeancurweueas 1.9 19. 4 1305 Gao alee co AN Oe NG RS a Ay 26.9 Slay SsarOhieceee COZ Ras eee 1a 44.2 14.3 AOD OM ne xo Ke eine a ret He x AS 42.5 64.6 ore Rees GOS eee ae ai | 270 40.0 BuGOMiGeeee GOSS Ue eas 5.9 Sle 37.8 ZasON eetes 0 Roar AC eae 8.3 28.8 54.6 SOA) Caos OR OR Gate es .0 6.7 4.2 SUL LES SS GOV Lee Geer ted WY 1205 20.5 SE isoues Ore eee 5.0 18.0 21.0 CSUs eae GOGH UB a eee “0 24.5 36.5 BuO eaeee GOR eh aU 7.1 17.5 12.9 PAS Oe] eee One ee eee 6.4 TS 8.4 2ERD) okies Oe a fe eer. D1 56. 2 29.6 So Re Wales TOE re he AWOL SES AMI Se ee PSS O0 Meee COUR ER ei: -0 14.7 22.7 LSuO0Oseee se QO 5G eee sc oes 9.2 16.6 3.0 (WAU OM eetae CLOW eer ee 5.8 41.6 34.0 1OXOO Hee GOH ee Fes e ee 4.5 15.6 Shee LOSOON Seaee WOvceen cece .0 See 122 10.00 | Scattering......... itt 0.6 4.5 7.00 AOS cee .0 UA 3.0 QES0 Mae OUR er ee 2.1 Seu 8.9 DeCON see GO er earen Mor ak we 8.5 (Kal 7.50 | Very scattering. --. 1.6 0 2.4 SesUieeeee GOs See 6.5 4.0 6.5 ACS MI Seese GOL Sehr 2.0 as 250 SiON SS GOwrs ioe ees 1.5 3.0 2A SeaO a wees GOs ee Me 10.9 6.4 But Bes UM eens GO so cee ores 26.4 10.0 3.6 DeoUH ewan GOMES AN 4.7 .0 3.2 4560) Depletedecn ees 2.2 -0 .0 ADO Wace QOeesees aN 2.0 25 1.0 CAO tal aes GOS tie (tee oe .0 .0 .0 Se On Eee GOs arene 4.5 1.8 a) ASSO one GOCE eee .0 .0 50) OFAZOu eee GOe SAE .0 -0 -0 Oysters caught per a Exposed reef; living oysters large and small. Seed. | Estimated quantity oys- ters per acre. | Market. "Total Bush. | Bush. 96 103 320 400 333 481 516 719 480 694 746 1 065 583 852 168 426 245 967 634 885 615 S71 | 453 721 837 1, 201 | 580 77 1,170 1, 494 618 988 304 664 942 1,316 908 1,320 620 840 960 LT 414 600 381 644 954 1,148 588 882 333 465 616 764 $12 952 216 365 506 699 229 549 1,030 1,345 640 8387 604 863 S74 1,134 67 114 328 420 336 497 584 759 206 378 454 605 AT: 1,018 363 466 48 228 544 S876 500 641 195 218 72 88 48 58 142 178 114 178 38 49 104 174 40 65 40 72 43 164 58 313 51 84 0 15 16 48 0 0 8 52 0 0 0 0 \ OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. a7 REDFISH GULLY. Redfish gully is a strip of slightly deeper water lying between the shoals south of Pass aux Herons and the bar, bare at extreme low tide. in winter, extending for about 800 yards northwest from the tip of Little Dauphin Island. The shallowest part of this gully has a depth of about 3 feet at low water, the average is about 6 inches deeper and near the western end is a hole in which there isamaximum of 7 feet or more. The oyster bed designated by this name lies in and about the gully. The following table shows the extent, character of oyster growth, and estimated content of this bed: OysteR GROWTH IN REDFISH GULLY. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. |} Area. be a Under 3 | Over 3 manent Pahoa Seed. Market. | Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | ose. a ee ee | 209 231 313 | 48,279] 65,417 | 113,696 tna eS Te | 11 26 80 286 880 1, 166 RP Re Weroouy Wes eee ns 48,565 | 66,297 | 114,862 Practically allof this bed consists of dense growth, there being but one patch of about 11 acres of scattering oysters near the northeast edge, where there is a considerable proportion of large oysters of good shape. On the dense growth market oysters are least abundant in and about the deeper water in the southwestern part of the bed. The proportion of oysters over 4 inches in length is greatest in the eastern part of the bed, adjoining Mobile Bay, and it was there that most of the boats were observed working on the bed, although there were three or four schooners operating in the deep hole. DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF REDFISH GULLY. Oysters seen per | Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of ye aoe NS. examination. a C har acter of Stow th. ——$ | Sse Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 156 | Nov. 23, 1910 se QOUMD enses2 jc teeei 5.3 20.0 30. 7 177 492 669 Mae ee os GO se OS008 se ae8 CORR 2 sa eee hs 13.8 31.4 38. 1 317 610 927 USS5 a Gore wee 49 5002/8 GORGE aka rule 8.1 10.7 27.0 132 432 564 do a eee do Os00F ees" GORE aM ae ee 12.8 26.6 24.4 276 391 667 TGQ) eee do CRU gestae GOA ae ililat 18.3 13.3 206 213 419 TAH eee donee S00 cts 0 (DR Rees eae 7.3 7.3 14.7 102 235 337 198 | Nov. 24, 1910 WAOUR = ee GOS gasses 13.3 14.5 10.7 195 171 366 SAT ae Gon: ses Be a eee COW ere era .0 21.0 21.9 147 350 497 321 |} Dec. 8, 1910 SROO Mae GO dine ela vie 1155 11.0 161 176 337 oleae e Osa 41003) -5-- 2 (0 ores Sena 4.0 19.5 10.5 165 168 333 Svea ee Goissase2 AZAQ NG 2! (0 (0 Ae eee 4.4 30. 0 20. 0 241 320 561 OAM GOL sss sos A I4A0 xn GOS sos ee aes 2.2 28.8 10.0 217 160 377 333 | Dec. 9, 1910 PAO aeiecer. GO SAG lak 5.8 42.0 23.6 335 378 713 BOO Winkcie (0 oe ae Ge2Z0i eke: C3 0 pe Bs ca 12.3 26. 2 26.9 270 430 700 BAO ot 2s do.. DEOMI ta. o 2 Co ty eee ce ae 13.1 51.3 28.8 | 451 461 912 S4Te ao 3 dotess see 2eQQui eas GOR aloes arate 9.6 22.9 5.4 | 228 864 1,092 343 |..-... dott as JEOO Meee Ose Se Ss ae Baill 41.7 26.3 | 307 470 777 162 | Nov. 23, 1910 8.00 | Scattering........- 2.0 5.3 Seal 51 53 104 TS al eegee Gow eee GLOOM SNe GO ede her is 0 .0 6.7 0 107 107 28 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. BLACK LUMPS. This bed lies west of Redfish Gully and south of the western part of Pass aux Herons and is continuous with both. The name as used by the oystermen appears to be of very indefinite application and is probably more restricted than as employed in this report. Some of the oysters in the part immediately adjoining Pass aux Herons are excellent, but in most places they are inferior. Drills were found in abundance at places on this bed and a great many small spat had been killed by them. The area, conditions of oyster growth, and total contents of seed and marketable oysters are shown in the following table: OysteER GROWTH ON Biack Lumps. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. | Area. Under 3 | Over3 antics inched Seed. Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. SCA tberin Oe eye ee eee ee ee eas Levees SEN 13 140 139 1, 820 1, 807 3, 627 WernygSCa tier Gee sere cr ie en ee eer ee 49 136 49 6, 664 2,401 9, 065 Wee bed eee ee cee oe Ore se eee ae 77 14 3 1,078 231 1, 309 POCA Cree ae aan eee nae ener LEYS i sees re ea 9, 562 4, 439 14, 001 The scattering growth occurs as a small area adjoming the south- west corner of Redfish Gully bed, and south of it is a small patch of very scattering growth. A larger area of the latter is found at the northeast corner of the bed, in the angle between Pass aux Herons and Redfish Gully beds. The depleted bottom, which comprises the major part of the bed, lies in the western and southern part. The detailed data of the examination are as follows: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Biack LUMPS. 7] | Oysters oust per Estimated quantity of Depth square yard. oysters per acre. Angle Date of of |Character of growth Leas rofg : No. | examination. | \ toy. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 325 | Dec. 8, 1910 4.40 | Scattering.......-. 4.4 15.6 8.7 140 139 279 386 | Dec. 16, 1910 3.40 | Very scattering. ..- 3.2 5.5 1.8 61 29 90 334 | Dec. 9, 1910 33 GO Woes ae CO ese get Co. 24.0 8.0 351 128 479 SBF ioe do ; 28 7(0) eae dole A eae 8.2 1.8 1.8 70 29 99 3Bfeh oa ose does aie. PR OAD Ne ys Oc fe eerie 20.0 13.6 1.9 235 30 265 Sibel ewer Aeakiih | eA Ott) ese oe done aaa 1.4 led 2.8 60 45 105 521 | Jan. 5,1911 14.00) |... -= GOP eee ee 1.5 4.2 2 4() 34 74 317 | Dec. 8&, 1910 4290) Depletedeee esses. P55) 0 -0 18 0 18 SF} Wee oe CO Kove gta eyes lla ey 5) Oa Mise Gouue seers .0 -0 .0 0 0 0 SOM ee do. . Sc00Nen ee GOSS on ee 10 .0 .0 0 0 0 SYN) ose ge doses peOO) Werte GON At ae 7.1 a0) 1B 50 21 71 335 | Dec. 9, 1910 Dem aeee do oll .0 .0 5 0 5 BALD Ils oes Gorse HO eesce Goes Ne eae .0 .0 0 0 0 0 316 | Dee. 8, 1910 PA es S| (ea) GOs ees 3.3 20! .0 38 0 38 239 | Dec. 7, 1910 NUE bees GON? eee .0 .0 -0 0 0 0 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 29 WEST SIDE OF LITTLE DAUPHIN ISLAND. This is an economically unimportant bed lying between the Turtle Hole, Mussel Gully, and Redfish Gully. A large part of it lies on bottom which is exposed during low winter tides. The extent and density of oyster growth are as follows: OYSTER GROWTH ON WEsT SIDE oF LirrLE DAUPHIN ISLAND. | } Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. | Area. | : Under 3 | Over3 amuhice alnichad Seed. Market. | Total. Acres. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. “SU 57S BSUS nT 0 Sg ee | 9 58 35 522 315 837 ID BT WRG se 5 Soc Oe ee a nr ree | 156 ¥ 4 1, 404 624 2, 028 eth 2 ea ean te ima (sgh meee ar |g ee ge 1, 926 939 2, 865 There is an insignificant patch of very scattering growth adjoining a small shell island northeast of Turtle Hole, and the rest of the bed is depleted. The proportion of dead oysters is very large in all parts of the bed, and drills, which appear to be the principal cause of the mortality, are abundant. The following examinations were made: DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF WEST SIDE OF LiTtrLE DAUPHIN ISLAND. Oysters oust per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Derie of of |Character of growth..——————_ No. | examination. | -otor, g Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 392 | Dec. 16, 1910 1.00 | Very scattering... 0.8 Hod 2.2 58 35 93 326 | Dec. 8, 1910 su) | IDE mibuewl 5 eee. .0 .0 0 0 0 0 SI El eae GOss see as |ee 12160)) fase COs Sea ance 4.1 0) a 29 11 40 U8, |e ao do 2 GO| saree GIGS eee eee 8 7 0 .0 26 0 26 520) Baaee GOPeee oneal eS LO; aaeen Goer Sus.) sneee 0 .0 .0 0 0 0 230 lesace doze eee, W420 (OO cides os eae ras 0 .0 .0 0 0 0 385 | Dec. 16,1910 36740) ee dee CLO aa ear 0 .0 0 0 0 0 Sal eens Osea Seite roOR| Estas OloyS arses he Uy ae .0 -0 .0 0 0 0 Sty le Bee do PLM Necace dogs abe coe 23 ain 13 a 21 28 BAO) | oe do LAOS orth 6S Ki: see pa ara ee 0 Py IL aS 15 5 20 MUSSEL GULLY. Mussel Gully lies northwest of Little Dauphin Island, running north- east from Turtle Hole and ending blindly in a sand flat. The beds which bear its name, as considered in this report, lie between the gully and the island. They are of no importance and are badly infested with drills. The following tables furnish all necessary information: OysTER GROWTH IN MUSSEL GULLY. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3 | Over 3 | RTGS: acon Seed. Market. Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. MEEVESCALELRIN Gos S een och 5 San Soe Se eee hee 11 123 27 1303, 297 1, 650 Menletedhes tere eh eee eee eo ee Mee ae 32 51 0 1, 632 0 1, 632 Tayo ile ating Sh Mek OP ean se eae Uh eee iam Seiden 2, 985 297 3, 282 30 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. DeTAILS OF EXAMINATION OF MussEL GULLY. Oysters caught per | Estimated quantity oys- , f Depth square yard. ters per acre. Ancle ‘ Date o! of |Character of growth | 2 | i No. | examination. | \otoer | Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. ——---- - —— — —— — PV eee ol eas — ——— ay -——- — - — eet. | | | Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 393 | Dec. 16,1910 1.00 | Very scattering... .| 6.1 11.4 1.7 123 | 27 150 Sd eee do-..:-=-.| “200)| Depisteese seca .0 (As: 3 | .0 51 | 0 | dl | SAND REEF. This bed les in Mobile Bay, stretching from Redfish Gully to Pass Drury for a distance of about 24 miles along the outside of Little Dauphin Island. It has an average width of about one-third mile from above low-water mark to a depth of about 10 feet. It is the largest bed fallmg within the limits of this report, but at the time of examination it was of comparatively little economic value, and at no time were boats observed at work on it. Its extent, the distri- bution of oyster growth, and content of oysters are shown in the following table: OysTER GROWTH ON SAND REEF. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. | Under 3 | inches. Over 3 inches Seed. | Market. | Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels. 108 7 BYGNSOs he ake fac Ra 2S aah Lae 220 0s 318 | 23,760; 69,960 93,720 BpatteRees i. Ce eae 185 61 98 | 11,285) 18,130 29,415 Weny‘scatterings.. 526.2 82. se eee ees 21 38 40 798 $40 | 1,638 Pepletade ee ek Pe 229 | 7 4| 1,608 916 | 2,519 Mataken ks times wee ee meee 655 | HY AAS Bae? el | 37, 446 | 89, 846 | 127,292 The dense growth covers a nearly continuous strip running the entire length of the bed. The oysters occur in rather large clusters and are of medium size, with comparatively few over 4 inches long, and inferior in shape and quality. The scattering growth hes prin- cipally inshore of the upper or northeast half of the dense area, extend- ing well up to or above low-water mark. The oysters lie in clusters and are apparently tossed about by the waves and often more or less submerged in the sand. The very scattering growth fringes the off- shore edge of the upper third of the dense area. The depleted bottom, which is the most extensive of the four classes of oyster growth repre- sented, lies mainly in a large body in the half of the bed close to the mouth of the bay. The oysters on this bed probably rarely, if ever, become fit for market, and are of value as seed only, and even for such purposes they should be used with caution, owing to the danger of transplanting the drills which abound. OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 31 The following examinations were made: Detarts OF EXAMINATION OF SAND REEF. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of No. | examination. are Character of growth | Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush Bush. | Bush. 127 | Nov. 23,1910 ee} Dense... -......--s 5.9 3.3 Pet 64 178 242 2g Ss Ge ee we COU fs UO! ee .0 3.7 17.8 21 285 306 USN Mae | See aU Th] ESS CSS See EE 2.4 8.1 12.4 74 198 272 csv gl See GOs sss25- SsO0 "3 ve L Ooo eens 3.8 5.7 14.3 66 229 295 ek” UO eae 2250312. 5.2 Ci (eee 2.2 §.5 13.3 54 213 267 5 oy) MON onc. =e eee 53 ea Saeed ae -0 12.6 11.9 8s 190 278 ol) eee OS eee S200) tt. 5: UGS ee ea 111 8.9 30.0 140 480 620 a eee 0 Ree 4.00 |...-.. C10 aes eg eae a 1.5 5.2 25.2 47 404 451 339 |..... CO Gat tpl eee oe d045.55 95.423. 8.6 21.0 33.8 207 540 747 8 Se MGee 2.5 TL! el OSes Cote Sees F282 4.3 11.4 24.3 110 389 499 i ae te GG gl eee 02 S255 .2e ose. 2.8 5.0 14.4 55 230 285 196 | Noy. 24,1910 Sahl ay Been Gore eat 4.5 8.4 10.0 90 160 250 i) See 1 = 00) Exes .-? 7 AS a Gee dee-.5 255 -25.° (2) 13.6 16.2 (2) 7 a tte el i ee At Sees cso yl nae Oi. 28. 2d. 16.0 8.1 13.3 169 213 382 148 | Noy. 23,1910 OU. 2 Ge. 25 225.2025 2.6 9.6 13.7 85 219 304 cL) Gee J eae | Wy E Rees GOk san085 46 255 7.9 19.5 25.8 192 413 605 oe od ree AU hg tees i Ly RR eee 10.0 14.7 25.3 173 405 578 1 ov] Bigs 22 OO 5 25 OUR ge ee 2.0 16.7 36.0 131 576 707 fy See ge See OA hl eee ar SPs ees 8.6 18.1 29.5 187 472 659 ES See UO Ree 5-00) [-2 2 DQ. ashe: 4.3 27.2 33.4 220 535 755 194 | Nov. 24,1910 1. QUr es ae Re Shee 2S eet 4.8 9.6 10.7 101 171 272 ae Oe cee ba AO ee Soe a 8 ok oe 1.3 7.1 10.3 59 165 224 =) i esse acu. 4°00 [ssesk -e Cantal s ane < 1.5 9.2 10.4 75 167 242 “eS » i eee ZOOL = 4. GO 34. So. ki 19.7 38. 2 146 614 760 ~ Se ee 3.00 Seattenne Seis 3.5 4.2 6.8 54 109 163 140 | Nov. 23, 1910 4450) (5 = Tie See Seen 15.6 5.6 8.9 148 142 290 oy SOR eee S60 |. <--2 Gee eee 1.7 23.9 5.0 179 80 259 199 | Noy. 24 1910 ARS) eS Se ah ae etre .6 Les: 1.3 13 21 34 =) See ee eee Gace 4 SOS cma .0 4.2 6.1 29 98 127 as ee te Sewn a Sa bl ee OOo eae 3.2 9.0 cal: 92 114 206 aE doie:...-. ya Offs, SE ae .0 3 6.8 2 109 ill — ee SE URES 9 (See Se ee .0 2.5 9.0 17 144 161 MG te .2-d0: = ~~~: 2. SOnfes 38 ele Koos . = -0 2.6 4.2 18 67 85 147 | Nov. 33, 1910 6.00 | Very scattering. -6 fOE ~ 403 12 27 39 ih ea G55 3 <- 8:00) ese. CR ee .0 1.3 .0 7 0 72 Loy SU ee ae aU pl eae GO soon eens -0 -0 4.4 0 72 72 204 | Noy. 24,1910 3 Ost. - OB. eka 2 3.2 6.5 3.9 68 62 130 115 | Nov. 23,1910 6.00 | Depleted... .......- .0 -0 .0 0 0 e $16.1... .- eee Ue eee Os) ee -0 .0 .0 0 0 0 Li’ @) See Gp 5252. SOD eee donee sean =0 .0 -0 0 0 0 a | Se ee S5Q0uf: 234 GSES eee 1.3 a) .0 9 0 9 cil eee WOs.-°3.27- 6.00"). -=4. OY Sena. SRA 1.3 .0 -0 9 0 9 S208 -=5- dae 6253 - Ge -| eae 1 Aa eee .0 .0 .0 0 0 0 iG See Tos Ce: i Cee UG CR a eee -0 .0 -0 0 0 0 Le 8. .52>2: 6. 80"}- . 5. 20 eS ie a ae -0 .0 .0 0 0 0 LS eee Ge oe Oy Se eee iu Bee ae See -5 1.0 -2 10 8 18 a2 |<... Oe. ss. Ce 4 ae es. fs. ce ok. -0 -0 m0) 0 0 0 int} Sa dO). Js=..< Cay ae Be Sy Gea eee =5 -0 -0 3 0 3 iol See doi = s-5- 4.50. == 3. IG SEE Ae ae .4 .4 wit 6 11 17 TN ee 5 REE cele CAG | eee 1G Es eee aes -0 -0 2.4 0 38 38 isi eee dens. 5: Gite. = 32 TA Re eee -0 -0 -0 0 0 0 1524) Geel Gace os Car | Ree 3 PSR A SE gem -0 -0 -0 0 0 8 cE) Sos Gees ee SES) ol Ca) Sa Be .0 ce -0 12 0 12 744 [= CC ee es FEU | eee 30 Ee ees .6 .0 -0 a 0 4 26 Pa. 10 ee ae CR ed eee LG SABES Bes 2.0 3.3 -0 37 0 3Y 203 | Nov. 24,1910 RS ql ae LF SARE elle eee 3.2 3.2 1.0 45 16 61 DAUPHIN ISLAND BAY. Practically the entire bottom of this bay is sparsely covered with oyster growth, but in only a few patches in the southeastern half is the growth sufficiently productive to warrant. tonging. The area and character of oyster growth and the estimated con- tent of oysters in the bay are shown in the table following. 65397 °—13——3 32 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. OystTeER GROWTH IN DAUPHIN ISLAND Bay. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under3 | Over3 PERLE ene Seed. Market. | Total. Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. DCATCOLING viaia\c cise s Se ecelic meine es aoe ete 52 49 104 2, 548 5, 408 7,956 Very scattering. !!s octscecentesinencelotece mene 154 25 45 3, 850 6, 930 10, 780 Depleted’. sien as ss ssvenbererse cee eater eee 550 48 3 26, 400 1, 650 28,050 Total se = aoc eee ees eee eee VOOM ate het eal peer ee 32, 798 13, 988 46, 786 There are three areas of what this report designates as scattering oysters, one of about 6 acres close to the Dauphin Istand shore, and two larger ones near Little Dauphin Island. It is stated that oysters are planted or bedded in the bay, and it is possible that some of the bottom included in the foregoing is not wholly natural bed. Included between these three patches is a considerable area of very scattermng growth. The depleted bottom lies around the shores south and west of the preceding and in the entire northwestern part of the bay where there are practically no market oysters and but a limited quantity of small ones. The oysters in practically all parts of the bay were poor in shape and quality. Some drills were found and many dead small oysters. DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF DaupuHIN ISLAND Bay. Depth of water. ’ Character of growth. Oysters caught per square yard. Estimated quantity oys- ters per acre. | | — | | | | | | | Angle Date of No: | examination. 222 | Dec. 5,1910 BOAR || oA Ae dost IMS seta (6 apy Re 299) |e oeee do.. 230) hee Gone PEN Neee se dozens 2320 ae domes PHA Nt 5 oe donee AS ere GOs see cee PASS |e Ose PNG |e esos do... PAE (ees oe Oss teeoee QUSseee. do.. 224 eee doseseae PEM es doh PKG | bea dors PRY Ned See do. PARI (oe ane dows ZO Nees ov steces 223 PAO SS Ia SAE ORT U Wes es 6 Ka ae ere 228 s* dower 234 Soo ses YR} ees ws GOs eases Baia) le oaue Gores DOWN On baelaee 238 dont aneere 344 | Dec. 15,1910 bam ose ata S46))\ £2. hem obs: S Rees Behe ae dott.2e ee S4Silsease do. S49h ee Cos htea. StU We sec do. eet e set et eee- eer e reset ween i ee Spat Culls. |Counts. 0.0 3.6 TONf -0 3.0 8.6 .0 3.0 6.3 .0 1.9 6.1 4.6 230) 8 iL) 11.5 5.8 1.5 6.5 10.8 -6 5 (6 2.5 0 2.8 1.9 0 1.5 3.0 -0 .6 ay Il -0 -0 2.9 3.0 L594 2.6 .0 4.2 2.8 -0 1.8 4.5 8 3.8 4.3 .0 3.2 1.9 1.9 4.2 74,53 319) 6.5 1.0 .0 2.8 eed: ACO) .0 -0 .0 3D 8 ees 6.1 4 .0 0 .0 .8 1.9 4 10.7 12.0 1.0 5.8 oe) 1B) .0 .0 .0 3th i 24. 4 -0 3.9 1.0 -0 1.9 1.0 .0 Zan 4.7 0 .0 4.2 .0 1.0 es .0 Seed. }| Market. | Total. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 25 123 148 21 138 159 FA 101 122 85 98 183 ARa| (se cert ae 48 89 93 182 56 173 229 44 40 84 20 30 50 11 48 59 4 50 54 0 46 46 57 42 99 29 45 74 13 he 85 32 69 101 22 30 52 43 37 80 46 16 62 20 18 38 0 0 0 25 13 38 94 6 100 0 0 0 19 6 25 160 16 176 65 19 84 0 0 0 193 0 193 34 0 34 20 0 20 51 0 51 29 0 29 16 0 16 Co OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 3 Derarms or EXAMINATION OF DAUPHIN ISLAND* BAy—Continued. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. ae Barn ool) | Character of growth.}-——+>—— ee ae water. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 351 | Dec. 15,1910 3.30 | Depleted .......... 2.0 10.8 0.5 90 8 98 oes Os 555 22 LOO sess GOs 2a esses 1.4 16.9 .0 128 0 128 Ge) ae MO sess sens 2210) |nciae GOS cote ec ewer 4.5 5.8 48 72 5 77 3 OU ee L200) eee GOe eS set cone 2 1.9 2 so 64 5 69 Sorby | ee Oe Se WA0n | Sase GO Pac nen eee 1.8 5.5 73 51 5 56 SN" Beeee OMe eee 4:00) 25 Goa See 4.0 2.0 -0 46 0 46 3 OV ol lena eG (a AS0O0 We asa G0eseaseccs sen: -5 8.5 -0 70 0 70 358 |-.... Osseo a: SEU) Beeee GOn a eee sees -0 .0 .0 0 0 0 33h | aoe A eee 450 |e ere = GORs tants ceeae 5.0 3.9 -6 62 10 72 317,00 eee 0 (os oe ee 45802252 COE eee estsccse 7.5 3.8 .0 79 0 79 SOL Te cece Gdotee: SCD Boece doses ee -0 -o -0 2 0 2 Soon cok - > 77 Re aes OT o . DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF GRASSY ISLAND. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard, ters per acre, Angle Date of Sane of /|Character of growth. No. | examination. etar Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. ee ee ee Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 683 | Jan. 13,1911 0}3-|' Depleted: 24 225.02. 0.0 1.4 0.8 9.8 12.8 22.6 GOOSE BAYOU. This bed, consisting of a small area of dense growth, almost sur- rounded by very scattering oysters, is apparently included within a private claim, although there is no doubt that it is an old natural bed. There is a considerable proportion of large oysters of good shape. The area, character of oyster growth, and estimated content of the bed are as follows: OYSTER GROWTH IN GOOSE Bayowu. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3} Over 3 aches. | MHenOS. Seed. Market. | Total. | a Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Testi bent: - edhe Aen nea 5 76 286 380 1,430 1,810 Reeeetimrneee 0 Oe 7 406 51 2, 842 357 3,199 Too go eg Pe Seco go eee ee 3, 222 1, 787 5,009 DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF GOOSE: Bayou. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of Sie of |Character of growth. No. | examination. | \ ator. se ee Spat. | Culls. |\Counts.| Seed. | Market. |. Total. ss SSS Feet. 3 669 | Jan. 12,1911 ir DGUSEL. 22.6 = 0 10.9 17.9 76.3 286. 4 362. 7 A ESE a0 50.525 1.2 | Very scattering.... 2.2 7.6 2.8 68.6 44.8 113.4 G72 |. .-.- 1 eee j Ao ee S108 5 eee .0 1.8 3.6 12.6 57.6 70. 2 40 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. SOUTHWEST OF VAN SIGNAL. This is a small patch of dense growth about 300 yards from shore. The oysters have a good shape, most of them are single, and at the time of examination were fat. Drills or borers were noted on the bed. The following tables show the results of the examination: OystER GROWTH SOUTHWEST OF VAN SIGNAL. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3| Over3 inichcel chess Seed. Market. Total. ee ee ee eee Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. DeNSEs 45. 2s chal kB se eee a ee 1 70 560 70 560 630 DETAILS OF EXAMINATION SOUTHWEST OF VAN SIGNAL. Oysters Cauent per Estimated quantity oys- Depth Square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of eas of |Character of growth. No. | examination. eaten Spat. | Culls. |Counts.} Seed. | Market. | Total. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 664 | Jan. 12,1911 3:07) Dense ss. 3 5452525 3.3 6.7 35.0 70 560 630 EAST SIDE OF MARSH ISLAND. About 300 yards from the island is a small patch of depleted bot- tom. Its condition is shown in the following tables: OystER GROWTH ON EAST SipE or Marsa ISLAND. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3 | Over3 iuohoss | aeneet Seed. Market. | Total. es Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Depleted sesh c ae eee ae ae ae ee 2 52 6 104 12 116 DerTarts oF EXAMINATION OF East SIDE oF MARSH ISLAND. : ; Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Angle Date of Depth Square yard. ters per acre. ese of |Character of growth. No. | examination. ata Spat. | Culls. |Counts.{ Seed. | Market. | Total. SS ee ee ee eS ee Oe eee eee Bush. Bush. Bush. Bs ps cbt 0.0 7.4 0.4 51.8 6.4 58, 2 Feet. 651 | Jan. 11,1911 2.4 | Depieted OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 41 PORTERSVILLE BAY, STATE-PLANTED BED. This bed is said to have been planted in June, 1910, and it was examined by the survey party on January 11, 1911. The bottom was of a consistency rated in this report from stiff to soft. The oysters were found to be growing in dense clusters and were fit for steaming only. They were evidently planted too thickly and irreg- ularly to secure the best results, and apparently the clusters were not broken up. If they had been separated so as to give the individual oysters room for growth, they would have produced much better and more valuable stock. It is said that the seed oysters, when planted, were about 14 inches long. When examined six months later, 40 per cent were between 1 and 3 inches long, 40 per cent between 3 and 4 inches, and 20 per cent over 4 inches. The experiment indicates that if oysters be planted in this region in accordance with the best practice the results should be excellent. The following tables exhibit the general condition of this bed: OysTER GROWTH IN PORTERSVILLE Bay (STaTE-PLANTED BED). 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. RH Sea oe eo ee he ee 8 250 472 2,000 3, 776 5, 776 DeETAILs OF EXAMINATION OF PORTERSVILLE Bay, STaTE-PLANTED BED. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- Depth square yard. ters per acre. Angle Date of - > of |Character of growth. No. | examination. ater 5 Spat. | Culls..;Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. a J SS OS OS Oe Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush. 625 | Jan. 11,1911 Z le yol) al D XG a\s| Sys Sis 1.0 45.5 25. ON ol Sa 400.0 715.5 G26n|o. 6. Goma yNes AO) Hee es GOw ears i 1.5 25.0 34.0} 185.5 544.0 729.5 PORTERSVILLE BAY, NORTH END. This is a small bed of very scattering growth, about 700 yards from the north shore of the bay. It is probable that there may be other insignificant patches in the vicinity. The character of the bed is sufficiently indicated by the following tables: OyYsTER GROWTH IN PoRTERSVILLE Bay, NortH END. Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters. Character of oyster growth. Area. Under 3} Over3 inches. | inches, | Seed. | Market. | Total. ee Oe Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. MEV SCUULCEIN GS date eo EE LEAS 2 - 122 57 244 114 358 42 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. Deraits oF EXAMINATION OF PORTERSVILLE Bay, Nortu Enp. Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys- epth square yard. ters per acre. of |Character of growth. water. Angle Date of No. examination. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total. I el i EE Fee Bush. Bush. | Bush. 592 | Jan. 10,1911 6. 0 | Very scattering. . 2.8 7.0 2.8 68.6 44.8 113.4 ety 19.3 4.3 | 175.0 68.8 243. 8 BOG FL. do. : 6.0 | meee IO Oe RE eed WEST SIDE OF COFFEE ISLAND. Along a considerable part of the southern half of the west shore of Coffee Island is a fringe of depleted bottom. It is stated that this was at one time moderately productive, but there is but an occasional scattered cluster of oysters to be found at present, and their dis- tribution was so irregular that it was not possible to arrive at an estimate of their quantity. This narrow fringe of bottom is useful for planting but valueless for oyster producing in its natural state. THE BEDS IN SUMMARY. Within the limits of this survey the natural beds are confined to two general regions—(a@) Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound adjacent to their junction and (6) in Portersville Bay and vicinity. It is stated that formerly there were oysters in Grand Bay, where none or practically none exist at present, and recently a bed was reported in the open sound, somewhere south of Grand Bay near the State line. If the latter exist, it can not be of much importance, as a search as careful as the circumstances seemed to warrant failed to reveal it. There are a few scattered clusters of oysters close to shore on the west side of Coffee Island, but they are not ye of consider- ation as natural growth. The contiguous parts of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound contain by far the most extensive and productive oyster beds in the State. As is shown on the chart, there extends from Buoy Reef to Pass Drury a practically continuous area of dense and scattermg growth flanked, especially toward the sound, by very scattermg oysters and depleted bottom. These beds, including Kings Bayou Reef and Heron Bay, cover a total area of 3,900 acres, of which 1,451 acres bear dense, 501 acres scattering, and 436 acres very scattermg growth, while 1,512 acres are classed as depleted. The depth of water over these beds is slight and, excepting the passes and gullies, remarkably uniform, ranging generally between 1 and 4 feet. On Buoy and Kings Bayou Reefs the depth is a few feet greater, as is shown on the chart. The remaining beds, which are confined to Portersville Bay and vicinity, contain but. about 108 acres, part of which appears to he OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA, 43 within private claims. In addition to this there are what appear to have been natural beds, lying in less than 2 feet of water, between Cat Island, Murder Point, and the mouth of Goose Bayou, most of which are now planted or claimed as planted. The entire area of 4,008 acres of natural beds surveyed embraces 37 per cent of dense riscmelts 13 per cent of scattering, 12 per cent of very scattering, and 38 per cent of depleted bottom. This dis- tribution is summarized in the following table: SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF AREAS OF MARKET OySTERS ON Pusuic BEDs. Character of oyster growth. Name of bed. Total. Seatter- | Very scat- De- ing. tering. pleted. Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres. een DIOL EVCOL Me 8 cl aye cee eee eee ce 3104 eee se 40 3 82 PESO? ING) UAE Soe RE origi OS ae Meany enine | Tyee UA 202 34 19 12 267 MPP IMEZGIN IMECOC Ia afo8 ccc Sha yas Seas a ted woes 2s aloke 100 PAL 24 56 201 LES SS) DOS Lely Tash nS Be es ee eee 53 a1 bl hs aie oe eee ol || ea eh 83 Pe MESUENIBLLOS PLQtS. 2 3-2 foodies Soo 5s feecaisek = - eH 122 41 Soule maccate ee 202 oY GELS 1 hg ge a ee ee 39 LING |e eee eer gets ae 58 ce Shad: LISTE 2 SN eee ere 42 FT| heh la a 24 87 JE GIRLS 2 2+ s SRS SEGA areas tea oes an eee a 44 OR | eta 11 65 Beter Billys Gully .-..-..------ ES i aS chet SH | teentey terse be 14 28 81 SUSOEIES LPS 2 UR ee coe ai ake a 64 FA Vy ee A ne 22 127 See Mue PL @LONS S27 o.8 Sees cid) sels oes ree SS ater crew eel 211 14 43 24 292 REIS ANG Pe ee SS) Oe Meds eye 209 I ey RU ohh td ore nS 220 MPCMEIIIEN tm 6 82 tei Nee uae fe doin gan eo ho| ee oe eee 13 49 77 139 Messe waruo Daipmin island’ 2202 ee ne oe oa see eon | es ssonlee 9 156 165 ler 8 SG) GHELET yeast Nee Se See eae yee der Pea ate Oe Lara erred Seat NES il 32 43 STIG! INGE. Coal AS aces te See See Sema ee ete etna nna A 220 185 21 229 655 [oS-fy SUP, VS) UCU 856 9p Se ee ne ea Le Re 52 154 550 756 “> NTOUEG) © 152" Sea SUB CUE eS RS eIENS SSR eaS ser SPE a ear tegelny |/Ueireieyt amine (oles Helcre meet a (Ayan pe ag 133 133 v2. ELISE IEBET 15 5 BESSA eS I Fe ee Ii ela eee A eet ae i |e ae emacs |. gee St ed a 13 13 B23) BASS. 6 aoe See Se See Os See eee eae iene ery 8 POD Ba Bah Ae shes ae al (Lhe ek ge 3 3 PMO OME LCN CSe a aa ho a 2 ee eek | he fetal her 8 4 14 PEIBEGHBES AU EAS SIGE. © Sonn oe Sees Se eke we ow eccis 34 11 5 52 102 IPMOVGHSES AU AWCSD SIMC 24 cece sq -\e/cern Sere cd eeee seme soe 31 Pl | eae 21 54 NOrMWweSGarinlvELCTOM DAY... 22! -t2255 52-2 02s os sac|s ce sk Seok e AG Beene 42 58 HGS GOT) SNe Ore Oe Sie me eee cena een eee 1p eee cee AQa ies Lees 52 SO NSB TG). Ga PE Aa Ree ee a So oer a [ee I HOURS at et | fet age ee ho 4 4 USC RES OU a a's Se 5s <8 ere lars ee rea in heme Sal hts 2) 2 it | See ee 12) POMEWESE VAR-SISHIAL | oc,2 oak Sous enerdae -oeded. ce | ipl UE eae ee ae: Ie Gob oes en 2S Pe Se ae e 1 SEES, OUT Wy PSST TY TAS) N08 | Ns a es eee Ae pe | een See ey (NR re 2 2 Planted oysters, Portersville Bay......--........-..- co |S Pope eee ead We op) wee || 2 e aeee eae 3 8 PEC MrEA TICES Vl Cub Aye e see Ae sec es ye acta oN eres ee Aleal ae oo hoe, b PAN ee eae 2 ESR SHAE UOTE Ed Ir: GIL ie Pe ae 8 Sel aed |r See ee eee |) alle See (Pet ae 27 27 Tees ak ONES AME are Toa ay Ob A EN 1,477 501 485 1,545 | 4,008 It should be understood that the foregoing classification in respect to relative density of oyster growth is based solely on the quantity of oysters 3 inches or more in length, irrespective of the quantity of small oysters present. The classification furthermore represents the condition at the time of examination and the several classes may, and undoubtedly will, undergo redistribution from time to time. The areas of dense growth may become less productive from over- fishing or other causes, while a heavy set of spat may bring the lower classes into increased productivity and raise them a step: higher in the scale. In some cases the number of young oysters on the beds at the time of examination was sufficient to produce this effect in the following year. On the whole, however, the general conditions shown in this report, barring accidents, should be main- 44 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. tained for a period of years. The estimated total content of oysters on the several parts of the different beds is shown in the following table: SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF MARKET OySTERS ON Pustic BEDs. Character of oyster growth. Name of bed. 2 ly Total. catter- | Very scat- De- Dense. ing. tering. pleted. {-——_|--——_ +——— Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Kings Bayou Reelsesscccenscteccs pence ee eee eee 951264) = eee 3,640 18 12,784 IBiOy Ree la i236 ee Sete ek eh ee ae race 65, 448 3,672 1,178 48 70,346 Cedar Poimt Reels 2. ase ee ne Cee eee ne ae ee 34, 000 2,730 984 0 37,714 Pass des Autres ao ace ccs ee te ee ee ee 16,059 21 OOS) Ne aac eae one 18,819 iRassides sEiuitres latsaseee eee eee eee eee eee eer eee 37, 088 5,699 NOAM a eee 44,581 Drtely Gully eae atc a ee ged oe Leet a es 9, 867 TONG; (oo) aa See l ee oeee 11,786 Dutehdsland ees 2 eee ice ea a Sanne te 11,718 2079t eevee sees 312 14, 109 Bie! Gully: seo wae oe Se oes bale eae Sia es a 13,640 S00p aes 0 14,440 Peter Billys Gullycee eee ose ee ene eee CU SI Poe ll eau ae la 532 168 10, 255 GrantsePabs ee. shakes bic. eee ees epee fae ee 22,976 2 OOD a Sane ee 924 26, 252 Pass Aux CElerons 334). 2e seat sis ce eae eee ee ner Oe 109, 720 1,316 2,279 96 113,411. Reaifishy Gulllyin ses. hee eile eae ee ee ee ee 65,417 SSO Aes eee 66, 297 foal Vela Oy ban 0 Ss pee epee Piven nei ee Ee eet tees ett A eS 1,807 2,401 231 4,439 Wiestiside mitt lem ari po lair gls lear Chee eee eee et eee 315 624 939 Miussel Gilly: mo h20s Be eae ee A ee tee Ree eS | eee Ee papel (ere een a 297 0 297 SandwReete senso c dk ee sss cape aan ce Men See ae 69, 960 18, 130 840 916 89, 846 (DawphinidslandsB ay rece. oe Soke bee ae sees | er ee eee 5, 408 6,930 1,650 13, 988 Sprinkels| Bay so. 2655... cc6 > soeee ive n ce se tian Same vnc WGeee nee | Peete ee alecememn rete 60 60 Collie rsB yen ee eB oe WN EARS ay a Lea He emo pe el Lac ee | ne Vere 26 26 LOPS BH Be Ss) ea ieee eae tery ar ature at ale aes aan Ae el eel Mem oes abe Sb ooade 0 Ce lalfzmoonsbatchestar ne see sane cone eee eee eaeee BOSE EE eee eeee 440 0 748 FIETONUB ay CASUSIUGM: meee aan eee nine Roe eee 6,460 1,056 360 0 7, 876. ELOTONN BD AYsawW CSS Grey sac ee eee ee ene a eee 7,595 DEAe fee aee 210 8,089 INorthwestiarnm HeronvBaye-cseseee eee enon eee tale eee era 12904 je oe aes kee 714 2,618 Middle Grown dies Soap coe ere a eae DRAA STE 2 arene 23200 eae eee eee 4,768 (Ca Covad IE 0 Papa ea ie See ante states ar NITE Bh aes See ole Aaa Se Malls Seriilss oe 52 52 GOOSC (Bay OU ese = ste nce eel sce a sere sere et ore ene ae A 4300) See gece 3b7 |B eee 1,787 Southwest Vian sional ee eee ee seer eee OOO ees eee epee ie gee 560 BHastor Marsh Slam dic soe hse acct co sare Sere ies cre eats ee re al ee are en 12 12 Planted oysters, Portersville Bay.........-........-- By ELON ewe wore See | ete ts ea | eee 3,776 Northiend: RortersvillosBay 22 22 Seg.hcis se eee een ee nsee (eee eeiae [eines eee DIN Bot epee 114 Wrest:side Coffee Island i. oe rice ee Soe Se as ai ats ys aon | eet eae | eee ee 0 0 Totalacoss si: Meh Wace ae ciate yates eee 497,151 52,796 24,781 6,061 580, 789 Of the total it is estimated that the beds lying in the contiguous parts of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound bear over 98 per cent, or 569,720 bushels, of which 488,937 bushels occur as dense growth, 52,796 bushels as scattering, 21,990 bushels as very scattering, and but 5,997 bushels on the so-called depleted bottom. It will be seen from this that the depleted bottom and even the areas of very scattering growth bore a wholly insignificant crop of oysters at the time of examination. The present negligible character of these two classes, and especially the lowest, regarded as naturally productive beds, is still more plainly seen by a comparison of their content per acre with that of the areas of dense and scattering growth. Considering as a whole all of the beds examined in the State, aggre- gating 4,008 acres, the areas classed as dense bore an average of 336 bushels of oysters of market size per acre, the scattering 105 bushels, very scattering 51 bushels, and the depleted but 4 bushels. It should be stated that for the more prolific growths the averages probably understate the truth, while for the very scattering and depleted growths they are approximately accurate. On very rank growth the OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 45 tongs will not always take up all oysters within their grasp, and‘ as’ the foregoing estimates are based primarily on the area of bottom covered by a ‘‘grab”’ and the number of oysters taken therein, the actual density of growth is somewhat greater than shown. Where the oysters do not lie so thickly this is not true. On some of the beds, notably Buoy Reef, Grants Pass, Pass aux Herons, and Redfish Gully, oystermg had been carried on for a month or two prior to the examination, and the survey therefore disclosed fewer oysters than had been on the beds at the beginning of the season. Moreover, the bushel as measured by the survey party contains probably at least 30 per cent more oysters than the ordinary market bushel, as to secure uniformity in the case of the former the oysters are culled and the clusters broken to singles and doubles and carefully packed in the measure. Of less immediate importance, but greater potential significance than the marketable oysters, are the young ones. Upon them depends the future of the fishery. A bed with a large number of healthy young, not unduly subject to accident, is an asset of more value than a bed of old ovsters whose future is imperiled by a deficiency of spat. That in this respect the principal beds covered by the survey are in good condition is shown by the following table: SUMMARIZED CONTENT oF YouNG OysTERS ON Pusuic BEDs. Character of oyster growth. Name of bed. Very Total. Dense. | Stter- | scatter- |Depleted. MAB: ing. —_—— SE NN Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.| Bushels. | Bushels. POHMOSIE AY OWS COIs .oce fe ee Beate QU ss. dso5ks oan ak eee ak sas coun Bak scasdes 1.70 eS ees Ree ee Bynten Islawel, west SI@Gs 5.0.6 55 in. cc cs See ee wosninssnaces 2.55 GS fo oa .ceatak 29. 50 por Eee QU Ree ee Ram Ss i RN 2. 08 WSR cuckoo No Peter, BV SRGGUY 05 o0a8 oe. wi usa a ss cceaba ieee sansa 3:68 Toot. ee 2.37} Nosmall GRE Passo aos n aks once a wc 4 Sieh 9.6 34 6 UA REO ees as 1.75 baby RSE 7.10 POCEAU® SIMMONS... J. cccade sos b seweas sawceean Coenen cai ss 1.02 7. 74 3.35 8. 66 Reaansh Gore. 5... i eee eaae UNITED STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES 1, 2B fc. Depth in feet at mean low woter Landmarks Coast and Gooderio Survey (Ielangulation stations). © Londmorks Bureau of Fisheries (auxMary : f i. ne | : y : Iriongulation stations). H.F. Moore, Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry Boa : s Noveinber 1910 to April 1911 \nder direction of Scale 40000 Triangulation by Pigwusy 18) OAs ; 8B 25" “hauricau ites United States Coast and Geodetic Survey ——$<——— > | ene BLANCWARD OEE 7 ; rr 88'S % , ms ; qe") $ é ‘ 1 ' " ‘ { — ~ as ys ¥ heads i Berka? \ cs “ we dana a ’ . . 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