OYSTER FISHERIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 14

OYSTER FISHERIES.

Our Bluff correspondent reports that' the week's ovstering lias been very satisfactory. Supplies huve boon a shade in advance of tllo ilotnaml, ami one or two crafts have had to take short spells inside. The oysters are a little more watery than they were lust. year. Th.' flavour, however, is not impaired.' On Iho other hand, the liquid is more effective in preserving the oyster. The lank operated on is the oua worked last season. It is situated to the cast of ltuapuke. It is accessible to and from '.he |»n. lis general dimensions are miles in leiK-ih by 2h utiles wide. That, gives a line dredging sweep on cither tack. It averages a depth of 12 fathoms. Jt was first discovered in 1888, and worked during the open season for the first seven or eight years. On account, of the oysters becoming small, it w;is then left idlo for several years. The oysters found on ibis bed are now large, of gooil quality, and are noted for keeping longer than any of the others. That is attributed to the fact of the water being shallower than it is at the other beds. it has been a most prolific bed, as many as 4000 dozen having be.f.n caught by the one cm ft in a day. So far as lho season's experience has gone its productiveness lius not in (he slightest degree become lessened. On the contrary, il seems to he getting more proline than ever, this being tiltrihutuMe, no doubt, to the fact that it is being judiciously worked. Small oyster growths have been found on the outskirts, as also a separate kink, two miles in length by three-quarters of a. mile broad, in the immediate vicinity. The l.'« r. however, has :i depth of fathoms. Thcwe facts go to prove that the l:cd is much move extensive than the limits mentioned above, and that it will be found so when tho requirements of the trade demands further extension.