THE EFFECT, ON OYSTER SPATFALL, OF CONTROLLING BARNACLE SETTLEMENT WITH DDT

During the summer of 1955 experiments were made with DDT to control barnacle fouling of oyster spat collectors. Results showed that effective control of barnacles on artificial collectors doubled the yield of oyster spat. Shell cultch treated in the same way gave less conclusive results, partly because of the poor spatfall experienced.
Oyster spat on treated artificial collectors were approximately 40% bigger, at the end of 2 1/2 months, than those on controls. Evidence from shells, however, indicated that DDT initially inhibited the growth of oyster spat. Apparently spat become stunted in natural conditions, because they are unable to compete effectively for food with the dense barnacle populations. Competition amongst barnacles themselves also causes stunting.
The dense population of Elminius modestus on the east coast oyster grounds may have a long-term effect on both the yield and growth of oysters.