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Reproduction Of Oysters In Virginia, Jay D. Andrews

Reports

The seed-oyster area is located in a low-salinity sector of the James River where seasonal riverflows and resulting salinities vary widely. Low spring salinities, usually below 10 °/oo in April or May, eliminate most predators and diseases. Prior to 1960, spatfalls were, regular and moderate in intensity each year. High quality seed oysters 2 to 3 inches in size were produced with 1000 to 2000 thick-shelled oysters per bushel for use by private-ground planters. Following the advent of M. nelson! (MSX) in Chesapeake Bay in 1959, setting declined to about one-tenth previous levels and there were spatfall failures in many …