Fisheries ofthi Gulf of St. Lawrence. 95 



degele. The Oysters are then lifted upon the strong ice with 

 rakes ; the process of freezing expands the fish, and forces open 

 the shells ; the Oyster is removed, and the shells are allowed to fall 

 back into the water, where they tend to destroy the fishery. 



Some Oysters of very large size and good quality are found at 

 Tabusintac, but those of the finest description are found on extensive 

 beds in Shippagan Harbour, Saint Simon's Inlet, and Caraquette 

 Bay, from which localities they are exported every season to Que- 

 bec. The number of bushels exported from the port of Caraquette 

 during the last eight years, is as follows : — 



1841, 5,000 1845, 2,010 



1842, 7,000 1846, 1,915 



1843, 5,290 1847, 425 



1844, 6,000 1848, 5,432 



Oysters are abundant at Cocagne, Buctouche, Richibucto 

 Burnt Church, and other places on the coast; but in general, they 

 are too far within the mouths of the freshwater streams, and their 

 quality is greatly inferior to those affected by sea water only. 



From the manner in which the Oyster Fishery of the Gulf Shore 

 is now being conducted, all the Oysters of good quality will, in a 

 few years, be quite destroyed. The preservation of this fishery is 

 of considerable importance, and it might be affected as well by 

 judicious regulations and restrictions, as by encouraging the forma- 

 tion of artificial beds, or "Layings," in favourable situations. 

 Several persons on the coast intimated to the writer, their desire 

 to form new and extensive beds in the sea water, by removing 

 oysters from the mixed water of the estuaries, where they are now 

 almost worthless, if they could obtain an exclusive right to such 

 beds when formed, and the necessary enacments to prevent their 

 being plundered. 



There are two varieties of the Clam, distinguished as the " hard- 

 shell," and the "soft-shell." They are eaten largely in Spring, 

 when they are in the best condition ; and great quantities are used 

 as bait for Cod. Clams are much prized by persons residing at a 

 distance from the sea coast, and they are frequently sent into the 

 interior, where they meet a ready sale, as they can be sold at a 

 very low price. 



The Razor fish derives its name from the shells being shaped 

 very like the handle of a razor ; the fish is well flavoured in the 

 proper season, and not unlike the Clam, though somewhat tougher. 



