Norfolk Virginian, February 20, 1890

A NOTE OF WARNING.

reprinted from New York American AnglerSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PlantingNatural resources -- Conservation - Resources

Prediction that the Virginia Oyster Industry Will Wane Out.

As long as sixteen years ago the old Fairhaven oystermen, headed by George N. Ives, began to migrate from Connecticut to the sounds and rivers of North Carolina, and now they are at Morehead, Newberne, Pollard, and other places, large colonies of Nutmeg Graters (now greater than ever) with large capital invested in oyster canneries and fish packing establishments with extensive connections in New York, Boston and all the eastern markets; and new ones are being constantly added. But the influx of Northern enterprise is not all from Connecticut. There are, besides Yankees, a good many wide-awake and sagacious Virginians who have already pulled out from the depleted and disputed Chesapeake, and are adding their valuable knowledge and experience to the common fund -- a combination of qualities and energies which are surely working out for North Carolina a most enviable financial position soon to command fulsome recognition.

Virginia may continue to plant oysters for a generation to come, but unless the interests of her oyster planters are better protected than they have been, and are, the industry must wane and die out. Decadence is inevitable.