New York Times, November 28, 1892
VIRGINIA OYSTER BEDS.
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : LegislationSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PlantingSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Surveying
EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE PROFITS AND THE REVENUE TO THE STATE.
RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 27. -- Gov. McKinney and other prominent public men in this State believe that Virginia's oyster beds can be made of inestimable value. The revenue now derived from them by the Commonwealth is little more than sufficient to defray the expenses of collecting it. If this industry is made to yield a larger income, it is believed that some new and radical system will have to be adopted.
Under a law enacted the last Legislature the oyster lands are rented out under a system which would, if it could be well enforced, bring into the Commonwealth probably $70,000 or $100,000 per annum. The great difficulty, however, has been found in the loose way by which the limits of the holdings were arrived at. In many instances it is said that eight acres were made to represent eighty.
A thorough survey of Virginia's oyster grounds is now being made under the direction of Capt. James B. Baylor of the United States Coast Survey. When this work shall have been completed that officer will delineate all of the boundaries and indentations long the oyster waters. This will prove a most important work in laying off and marking the grounds which may be leased from the State. It is estimated that there are in Virginia 800,000 acres of productive oyster lands. There are, however, many of these which are not capable of being worked to advantage without the expenditure of large sums of money. It is contended by Capt. Baylor and many others that if vested rights were conferred upon the purchasers of the oyster lands it would do more to enlarge and increase this industry than any other plan that has been suggested.
It is a remarkable thing that Virginia's oyster industry fell off nearly 100 per cent. between 1880 and 1888, while Connecticut, with one-eighth of the area of this State, increased during that period nearly 300 per cent.
The official report for 1891 of the United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries presents interesting statistics of the value of the oyster industry of the different States in the Union. These figures show what an immense loss Virginia and Maryland have sustained during the years named. In 1880, the sales of oysters in Virginia amounted to $2,218,376; North Carolina, $46,129; Maryland, $4,730,476; Connecticut, $386,625, and New-Jersey, $2,080,625.
In the year 1888 -- eight years later -- the same States made the following showing: Virginia, $1,033,612; North Carolina, $60,000; Maryland, $3,056,458; Connecticut; $1,012,259; New-Jersey, $2,245,659.
It is believed that, by proper legislation, Virginia could easily derive a revenue of half a million dollars annually from her oyster beds. This question will probably enter into the campaign of next year. The present rental system has not and can not be given a fair trial until the grounds have been surveyed and delineations of them have been made so that the boundaries can be clearly defined. After this work is completed, it is believed that a great deal of these oyster grounds will be rented out and the State's revenue largely increased.