The Effect of Tropical Storm Agnes on Oysters, Hard Clams, Soft Clams, and Oyster Drills in VIrginia

Tropical Storm Agnes had a major effect on the molluscan fisheries of Virginia. One effect was the direct mortality of oysters, Crassostrea virginiaa, in the upper parts of many estuaries. Typical losses on leased bottoms were: the James River, 10%; the York River, 2%; the Rappahannock River, 50%; and the Potomac River tributaries (Virginia) 70%. Economic loss was in excess of 7.9 million dollars. There was a nearly complete absence of oyster larvae attachment (setting) in 1972. Other effects of Agnes included a nearly complete loss of soft clams, Mya arenaria, in the Rappahannock River. Hard clams, Meraenaria meraenaria, were killed in the upper part of the York River. Oyster drills, Urosalpinx ainerea, were eliminated from the Rappahannock and reduced greatly in numbers in the York and James Rivers.https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/1074/thumbnail.jp