Developmental Work On Oyster Beds

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1939, Page 3

Developmental Work On Oyster Beds

I Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day. This season the Fisheries Department is carrying out much propagation work on the rock oyster beds with the object of increasing cultivation. Last season the fixing of oyster spats on the' rocks was fairly good, and a survey by the Department’s officers reveals that many supplies of oysters of an excellent grade will be available for the market next winter. New Beds at Kaipara. Attention is being paid to all beds, in the matter of the removal of seaweed, the picking of old shells and the collection of the borer, while at Kaipara new beds are being laid on a more extensive scale than in any previous season. Stone is also being distributed to provide new beds at Russell and Whangarei. From the natural nursery at Kawau 250 posts clustered with one-year-old oysters have been transferred to Coroinandel. The reason for this is that the conditions at Coromandel are more favourable for adult development. Shellfish on Posts. Some new rocks have also been distributed in this area in the expectation that they will attract spat. In addition about 300 new concrete posts are being made for placing at Kawau and, when covered with young oysters, it is possible that they will be transferred to richer feeding grounds. In the Hauraki gulf a gang is regularly employed in clearing rocks of weed and in other routine work.

Some new rock, however, may be distributed.