The shellfish resource in the vicinity of the proposed bridge-tunnel for I-664

A study of the. shellfish resoμrce near the proposed site of the I-664 bridge-tunnel across Hampton Roads was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in September 1980, Bottom samples collected with patent tongs in a corridor surrounding the proposed site indicated the following: l. The oyster population was negligible; 2. Medium and high densities of hard clams occurred in the Northern part of the study area,. generally between Newport News Point and Middle Ground; and, 3. Density South of Middle Ground was low. Value of all the hard clams was estimated to be slightly in excess of one million dollars if they were all harvested. One private oyster planting ground, a part of Public Oyster Ground Number 1, Nansemond County, and some public clamming ground were included in the area under study