Bivalve had a few thousand residents, most working in the oyster industry.

So do Croatians, who are dominant in the oyster industry.

Until 1938, the local oyster industry was the center of a booming economy.

Emsworth's once famous oyster industry went into decline in the early years of the 20th century.

Since 2000 the oyster industry has been recovering and now nearly 15,000 metric tons are produced per year.

During the 1890s the oyster industry thrived until it became the single most important fishery in the state.

The oyster industry is an important part of the local economy.

But social forces are at work in the shrinking of the oyster industry.

Croatians are credited with developing the state's commercial oyster industry.

"We're lucky it hasn't had a huge impact on the oyster industry," he said.