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shellfish mariculture in drakes estero point reyes national seashore california
when drakes estero which lies within the point reyes national seashore prns about 25 miles northwest of san francisco california was designated by congress in 1976 as potential wilderness it contained a commercial shellfish mariculture operation . oyster mariculture began in drakes estero with the introduction of the nonnative pacific oyster in 1932 and has been conducted continuously from that date forward . hence the cultural history of oyster farming predates the designation of point reyes as a national seashore in 1962 . nevertheless with the approach of the 2012 expiration date of the current national park service nps reservation of use and occupancy ruo and special use permit sup that allows drakes bay oyster company dboc to operate within the estero nps has expressed concern over the scope and intensity of impacts of the shellfish culture operations on the esteros ecosystem . public debate over whether scientific information justifies closing the oyster farm led to the request for this study to help clarify the scientific issues raised with regard to the shellfish mariculture activities in drakes estero .