THE OYSTER SEASON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14363, 8 February 1911, Page 2

THE OYSTER SEASON.

What must be regarded by Southland fishermen as their 'most remunerative branch of occupation is undoubtedly the oyster* industry which commences every year on the Ist February and continues for a period of eight months. The beds dredged lie about •pig'ht miles from BlufT. four from Dog Island and four from Kuapnko Island, and cover altogether an area of about 4-.) square miles. The surface cf the beds is at a depth of from six to 40 fathoms (240 ft), and it consists for the most part of a sandy clay, well proportioned with broken shell. In some patches, however, so a "Southland News" rer>orter was informed by an •oyster fleet captain, it is rocky or of n cement formation and, in others, The best and firmest oysters como from these hard surfaces, hut

ihero ir> a danger in dredging on account of the formation which is apt to catch the dredge and hold it hard until tho connecting rops snaps, and leaves the dredge behind. Tho oyster irdustry employs in tlio vicinity cf 3-5 hands and tho quantity of oysters taken has assumed very extensive proportions of recent years. The six cutters produce about 1,000,000 dozen per annum and the three steamers 1.250.000 doKeu or a total of 2.250,000 dozen per annum. The first day's catch this season was 24,725 dozen, taken by eight boats.