OYSTER SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 14

OYSTER SEASON

OPENING ON JUNE 29 LARGER SUPPLY EXPECTED IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY WORK OF CULTIVATION Ifc is anticipated that the Auckland rock oyster season will open on Wednesday, June 29. While oysters will bo sold in tho shops on that day, picking will start on June 15. The Fisheries Department estimates that 5000 sacks of oysters, compared with -4200 sacks last year, will ho sold. The condition of tho shellfish is described as better than it has been for several years. Cultivation and favourable seasons, which justify an increased quantity being marketed this year, suggest that the supply is returning to what was considered normal some years ago. But there is little chance of the quantity, under present conditions, returning to what it was 20 years and more ago. Illegal Picking As beaoh and rock areas are opened up by roads and traffic increases, th<> rocks become depleted of oysters, in spite of the endeavours made by the department to prevent illegal picking. For example, what was once a prolific area, the stretch of coast from Thames to Manaia, has now been despoiled. Nearer Auckland, such places as Maraetaino longer liavo rocks well clustered with oysters. Cultivation is pursued in several wavs. In oyster areas rocks from the beach are rolled down to near low tide marks. Dead shells aro picked off tho rocks, for if they are permitted to remain they attract young oysters, which die when the sheik fall away in the normal process. It is also necessary throughout the summer months to strip grape seaweed oft the, rocks, while men are kept steadily at work collecting the borer, which creates havoc in tho oyster beds. The Borer Pest

Furthermore, clear areas are filled with rocks or concrete posts to attract the floating rudimentary oyster. One area thus established is at Kaipara. In tho past season rocks were spread there over an area of 64,703 square yards. The stones deposited represent 4044 cubic feet, and the cost involved was nearly £2OOO. This deposit has been made on mud-covered areas.

Estimates of tho number of borer destroyed are based on sizes and quantities. In the Hauraki Gulf in the past season 1.613,500 borer were dealt with; in the Coromandel area 708,160 borer were destroved; in tho Bay of Islands 529,500; and in Whangarei 203,400. A total of 10,977 square yards of dead shell was picked in the Hauraki Gull and 13,586 square yards of grape weed was cleared. Picking of dead shell and the'clcaring of grape weed was pursued in the other areas in much tho samo proportion.