To evaluate the culture conditions in oyster-farming waters, chemical and biological measurements were made in seawater and oysters from six bays around Tongyeong in November and December 2003. Nutrient levels in the seawater were higher in the western area than in the eastern area, in contrast to particulate organic matter and dissolved oxygen levels. The mean total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ({sum}PAH) content of the oysters was 194.5-375.9 ng/g dry weight, with four-ring compounds constituting 34.1%-79.6% of PAH. Despite wide temporal variations, a "western > eastern" spatial distribution of PAH was apparent. These low concentrations of PAHs indicate that Tongyeong waters are pristine in terms of PAH contamination. Among the hemocytic biomarkers, only lysosomal activity was significantly reduced in Hansan-Goje Bay, but did not correlate closely with PAH content. This finding indicates that the impact of PAH on cultured oysters is negligible around Tongyeong waters.