Production Functions for the Maryland Oyster Fishery

ABSTRACT USING seed planting, shell planting, spatfall and fishing effort data, production functions were developed for the Chesapeake Bay oyster fishery. The oyster producing areas of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries were divided into four regions and a production function was developed for each region. Results from these functions were then used to analyze the effectiveness of State operated seed and shell planting programs. The effectiveness of fresh shell versus seed planting in terms of both dollar and harvestable bushels of oysters returned was assessed.