An average of approximately 200,000 pounds of bay clams were harvested annually in Oregon for the years 1943-49, inclusive. The commercial harvest of bay clams is composed of the gaper, cockle, and softshell clams. The recreational, or noncommercial, harvest of bay clams is composed mainly of the gaper, cockle, softshell,...
This report contains the results of standardized screening for the 1952 year-class of young razor clams. It also contains data regarding the age composition of the catch, a description of the marking program for 1952, and an analysis of recoveries by both sport and commercial fisheries.
This bulletin provides a brief description of 8 different clams most commonly harvested in Oregon, delineating average depth and distribution as well as common harvesting techniques for each clam. The bulletin also describes the bays and rivers affected by tidal action, and their clam beds.
This report is an update of shellfish investigations from January 1-December 31, 1953. It includes a summary of bay clam and oyster investigations, including details on attempted pest control and control of algae on oyster beds. It also contains results of the 1953 Tillamook Bay Clam Survey, and discusses clam...
In 1949, the Army Corps of Engineers dredged Coos Bay. “Despite objection of local residents, commercial clam diggers, and the Fish Commission” the Corps dumped dredging spoils on a commercially important clam bed, and destroyed much of it. “This year, with an earlier start and more data, it is hoped...
This document is in three parts: a report on the ghost shrimp fishery, elucidation of a method to tax commercial crab landings, and a description of a commercial enterprise that was catching small shore crabs and embedding them in plastic for sale as tourist souvenirs.
The new closed season for commercial crab fishing in Oregon went into effect in 1948. This 1949 document summarizes the results of the 1948 closure and details research and procedures being used to refine the closing dates. This document provides a good look at earlier methods of natural resource management...
This document marks the beginning of a long struggle for Oregon natural resource managers to find the best time to open the crab season. The time of crab molting is highly variable, and it is hard to determine the best time (firm shells, full of meat) to start the commercial...
Gives crab boats and number of pots fished for Astoria and Tillamook Bay. Gives number of crab pots being fished for given localities. Gives per cent of soft-shelled crabs by local areas.
This report contains a series of individual reports within it. The main report continues growth and aging studies on fat gaper clams in Yaquina Bay. This document also includes a report on other Fish Commission activities on the Coast, a summary of razor clam research, the beginning of a survey...
The first regulations restricting clamming in Oregon were put into effect in 1948. Initial rules barred clamming from January 1 through June 30; clammers objected that this was too restrictive and lobbied for more time to take shellfish. This 1949 document examines the fat gaper or horseclam, to see when...
Much of this report is concerned with the perennial question of when crabs are in the soft-shell state, as opposed to when the commercial fishing season should be open. Other topics covered include molted crab shells, methods of measuring crab shells to determine if they meet size limits, early growth...
This report details the results of experimental plantings of Pacific oysters in four Oregon estuaries in 1947. "The ten cases of experimental Kumamoto seed received in l947 through the Washington State Department of Fisheries were divided among Coos Bay, Umpqua River, Yaquina Bay and Tillamook Bay. All plantings were made...
The report consists of notes of a conversation between Lowell D. Marriage of the Oregon Fish Commission and Jess Hayes, an oyster grower from Bay City, regarding Mr. Hayes' recollections of the history of Pacific oyster culture in Tillamook Bay. Mr. Hayes' account goes back to 1931 and gives estimated...
This report concerns the disposal of dredging spoil in the Rogue River estuary in 1948. Since there were few shellfish resources existing in the estuary at the time, Oregon Fish Commission biologists had no objection to make to the disposal of the dredged materials.
In 1952, ODFW staff sent a biologist to Washington State to learn more about the shellfish resources of that state and how state officials were managing those resources. This is the report of that trip.
Reports on an investigation of a proposal by the Evans Products Company of Coos Bay to construct a dike in the bay. Investigators found negligible quantities of the Eastern soft-shell clam, and therefore did not oppose the proposed dredging and construction. Includes a hand-drawn map and a survey report.
In mid-December, 1948, during the time the crab season was closed in State waters, a boat caught crabs outside the entrance to the Columbia River, which was outside the three-mile jurisdictional limit. Because "one man was already fishing," the crab fleet members began to complain and threaten to fish before...
Reports on an investigation of a proposed project in Coos Bay to see if native bay clam populations were threatened. "The Coos Bay Pulp Corporation proposes to build a bulkhead and drive piling for log storage facilities in the vicinity of their plant." (p.1). Includes a hand-drawn map of the...
Yaquina Dock and Dredge Company had applied for a permit to construct a dike, bulkheads, a groin and to dredge at Sally's Bend in Yaquina Bay. The Fish Commission investigated to ascertain the effects of the work on natural resources. Includes a public notice from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Discusses the removal of boulders in the Alsea River near Tidewater by blasting with dynamite. Documents the number of fish killed. Includes a copy of the blasting permit.
A survey was made on this date for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not log jams in the Elk City region of the Yaquina River and Elk River (Yaquina River tributary) were a serious menace to the passage of salmon.
"On April 12, 1949 the Port Commission of Bayocean, Oregon made two test blasts directly out from Bayocean on Tillamook Bay. The purpose was to determine the feasibility of blasting a channel in that area to permit small boats to dock closer inshore. Although no consequential shellfish except oysters (beds...
Gives an Oregon Fish Commission shellfish biologist's response to a request by the C.D. Johnson Lumber Company to dredge in Yaquina Bay. Hand-drawn map shows the proposed location for disposal of dredging spoils. Includes the public notice issued by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Reports on an investigation of a request by the C.D. Johnson Lumber Company to construct a log boom two miles below Toledo on the Yaquina River. Local residents were concerned that the boom would damage clam beds. Includes a hand-drawn map of the area.
When should the clamming season for horseneck, fat gaper, or horse clams (Tresus capax) be closed in Coos Bay? They are in "very poor condition" after spawning, and should not be harvested until they have a chance to recover from spawning season. But when do they spawn? Is Coos Bay...
The Army Corps of Engineers dredged in Coos Bay in the fall of 1948, dumping dredge spoils on a large clam bed and killing the clams. Although Fish Commission biologists were unable to relocate the original planned dumping site, they observed the resulting increased pressures on remaining clam resources, and...
Did regulations restricting the harvest of cockle clams by recreational clammers also restrict commercial harvesting for crab bait? In the case of Netarts Bay, they did not. The reasons for the exemption are given in this document.
Reports on an application to construct "a log dump, to drive piling for a log storage pocket and log raft moorage, and to dredge and dump in King Slough of Yaquina Bay near Newport, Oregon." (p.1) Includes application to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Waldport residents were upset about illegal crabbing outside the mouth of the Alsea River. These notes describe a public meeting held to address the issue.