Oyster Studies, 1969

Oyster sampling was conducted in Galveston Bay, Texas. Monitoring of 1965, 1966, and 1967 year class oysters at two tray stations indicated a relatively low annual mortality rate of under 20%. Peak death rates, associated with Labyrinthomyxa infection, occurred in late summer. Moderate oyster spat setting occurred in the mid-bay area beginning in July. Survival was good and seed stock increased. Labyrinthomyxa marina infection among market oyster stocks remained below epidemic level and more oysters were available to the fishermen. Oystering was again centered in the mid-bay area and was judged to be relatively heavy. The harvest of 173,300 barrels was 22 percent higher than that of the previous season.