There were so-called "Oyster Wars" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Until the mid-20th century, oyster harvesting rivaled the crab industry among Chesapeake watermen, a dwindling breed whose skipjacks and other workboats were supplanted by recreational craft in the latter part of the century.
tHErE weRe sO-cAlleD "oySTEr warS" In THe Late 19th AnD EarLy 20th centURIES. UnTil tHe MId-20tH CentURy, OysteR harvEsting RIvaled tHe cRab indUstry amOnG chesaPeake waTermen, a dwInDling bREed whOSe SKipJaCks aNd otHeR wOrkboatS were suPplanted bY recreAtional craft in the laTteR part of ThE centURy.