Carbaryl is used to control the population of burrowing shrimp, whose numbers have grown because of increased harvesting of predatory fish in coastal waters, said Dick Wilson, owner of Bay Center Farms. The shrimp get their name because they burrow under oyster beds and cause them to collapse and smother the oysters.
There has been a recent federal recommendation to eliminate this pesticide used to clear burrowing shrimp from oyster beds by the National Marine Fisheries Service. They have recommended eliminating the spraying of carbaryl and two other pesticides in endangered salmon habitat. Carbaryl, carbofuran and methomyl can kill fish in large doses and prevent their ability to avoid predators, according to the agency.
The findings by the fisheries service are a result of a 2001 lawsuit brought against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by environmental groups and salmon fisheries.
The agency reports that Carbaryl also as Sevin, and carbofuran put 22 species of Pacific salmon and steelhead at risk, including Puget Sound chinook and Snake River Chinook. The EPA has a year to implement new draft guidelines, which would apply to Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. A spokesperson for the Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association mentions that the fisheries service has ignored studies showing that carbaryl in small doses has almost no impact on salmon in Willapa Bay.
Perhaps through support from conservation groups and local citizens we can help raise more awareness on this issue and maybe help renegotiate the current ruling to phase out this pesticide much sooner than 2012. It's of notable mention and appreciation for the health of the harbor area that shellfish grower Brady Engvall of Brady's Oysters voluntarily discontinued the use of Carbaryl over 10 years ago and perhaps more local farms will follow suit. For more more information or to learn about resources for getting your opinions heard, feel free to contact kgreer@surfrider.org.
Links to other information and background on the local use of carbaryl:
http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/2003/Oyster-Growers-Carbaryl28apr03.htm
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/04/21/breaking_news/doc49ee760f68b03113700300.txt
There will be aerial spraying of the insecticide Carbaryl on the estuaries/mud flats of various locations in Grays Harbor early in the morning on July 7, 2009, wind conditions permitting. Areas to be sprayed include: 50 acres near the western edge of Damon Point, near Ocean Shores. 20 acres near Grass Creek, also on the north side of Grays Harbor. 40 acres in the South Bay, which is in the area of the Johns River mouth and the lower Elk River Estuary. Warning signs get posted at the nearby boat launches and public access points just 24 hours before the spraying and may not be widespread or easily seen, so it could be best thought to avoid the areas all together until after spraying has concluded.
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