OYSTER CULTURE IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 75 



mer star-fishing on the beds to the west of Curtain island and in the 

 Big bay. He was assisted during the month of June by Government 

 patrol boats D and B. Some of the oyster companies also did service 

 in this line. Both Government and oyster companies should pursue 

 this line of work much more vigorously." 



"The most destructive enenay the oyster has, however, is man. 

 Oyster poaching goes on almost unheeded. The oyster pOacher and 

 the man who buys from him should be severely dealt with. Efficient 

 protective legislation effectively and impartially enforced appears to be 

 an essential if the oyster industry is to advance in Malpeque bay." 



That some remedy must be found, and found quickly, if the oyster 

 industry of Prince Edward Island is to be revived, is undisputed. 

 The Provincial Government is willing to act but, as the public areas 

 are under Federal control, must have the cooperation of the Federal 

 Dept. of Fisheries. A number of good power boats fitted with proper 

 appliances for star-iBsh sweeping would go a long way towards curing 

 the trouble, as these boats would be available, not only for this purpose, 

 but would be a protection against poachers as well. 



Generai, Considerations 



„ • 't f "^^^ Malpeque Bay oyster is indisputably the best in 

 Malpeque the world and the market for this bivalve is practi- 



Oysters j.^jjy. unlimited. The bulk of oysters sold to-day as 



Malpeques are not really such. I have here with me a few Malpeque 

 as well as American oysters and river oysters and shall be glad to 

 exhibit them for the inspection of the Committee. 



Proposed ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ suggested that, if nothing can be done 



Recall of towards the encouragement of oyster leasing, the Pro- 



Leases vincial Government should cancel all leases granted 



and operate Malpeque bay with a view to preserving the oyster beds 

 lying therein in the interest of the fishermen and, incidentally, of the 

 Province. The bay might be divided into districts or divisions, of 

 which only certain ones could be fished each season. This would 

 enable the young oysters in the other areas to grow and, thus, do much 

 to preserve the industry. The spat and small oysters would be given 

 a rest period in which to grow on certain sections and thus after three 

 or four years become commercially available. This is a matter which 

 will require much thought and attention and I would invite the discus- 

 sion of the Committee on the subject. 



