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OYSTER FLEET IN THE OFFING, RICHMOND BAY, P.E.I.

Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Since 1871, when statistics are first available, the island province has produced nearly twice as many oysters as New Brunswick, its closest competitor. Nova Scotia comes third. The Atlantic oyster area may be said to be the half-moon shaped shores of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and New Brunswick, bordering on the gulf of St. Lawrence, with Prince Edward Island as the "star within the nether tip" of this crescent.

An examination of the table indicating the production Analysis of Statistics of of oysters in all Canada" shows that the industry was at its Production zenith in the eighties and early nineties. The high point was reached in 1882 with a production of 64,646 bbls. During the whole period from 1882 to 1893, the yearly production never fell below 50,000 bbls. save in one year. The second stage in the decline is noted in the years 1894-1901. During these years, the annual yield ranged between 40,000 and 50,000 bbls., except in 1898 when it was 53,656 bbls. The third stage in falling production enters with the year 1902. Never since 1901 has the yield risen above 40,000 bbls. From the beginning of this third stage, there has been a gradual but sure decrease in production, the lowest point in thirty years' history of the oyster fishery in Canada being reached in 1907 when only 27,299 bbls. were harvested. The larger catch of the past two years is due to the more intensive methods of fishing that have been stimulated by high prices, rather than to any actual increase in supply.

So much for the production in Canada as a whole. Let us now examine the production records of each of the oyster-producing provinces and see just where the greatest shrinkage has occurred. Considering the whole time the fishery has been engaged in, Prince Edward Island has given us more oysters than any other province. In 1882 the oyster crop of that province reached its maximum with a yield of 57,042 bbls. The yield of this year, however, was rather abnormal. Yet, during the whole period from 1880 to 1891, the industry was remarkably healthy, the annual production averaging nearly 35,000 bbls. Beginning with 1892, the production began to fall off. In 1891, it was 41,030 bbls.; in 1897, 20,915; in 1906, it shrank to 14,988 bbls.; and in 1907 it reached its minimum point with a yield of only 9,672 bbls. A decrease of over 47,000 bbls. in twenty-five years is the record of Prince Edward Island.

The other provinces do not show up so badly as Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick reached the height of its production in 1885-1890 with an annual average of approximately 21,000 bbls. After that, production declined to 12,470 bbls. in 1903. Since then it has been on the increase. In Nova Scotia, the proportionate decrease has been large; but the small

a See p. 142

b See table on p. 144

production of the province does not greatly affect the total for Canada. In British Columbia, the industry has never assumed large proportions. This analysis indicates that it is in Prince Edward Island that oyster fishing has declined most. Yet, in each province there has been a falling off. Of course, if individual years only be selected, a conclusion with regard to the state of the industry which is not true can easily be reached. But if we consider the production over a period of years, the one conclusion is inevitable: the oyster industry is fast nearing a state of absolute depletion.

The Demand

This, too, in the face of a demand that is increasing year by year. Improved railway facilities have extended the margin of the oyster market far inland. Prices, during the past twenty years, have increased by fully 240 per cent" and large quantities have had to be imported from the United States. If we lump together oysters imported in all forms, we find that, in 1909–10, Canadians consumed about 389,500 gals., raw and canned, of foreign-grown oysters. And this large quantity was imported in spite of the existence of a duty ranging from 17+ to 25 per cent. on oysters in the shell, and from 14c to 3c a pint for those shelled or preserved. The total value of oysters imported in 1909-10 was $369,166, and the duty paid on them was $43,669. In other words, we are paying to other countries in excess of $350,000 per year for a product which we ourselves could produce in quantity more than sufficient to supply home consumption if only proper encouragement and safeguards were given to the industry.

In order intelligently to understand the question of the Natural History depletion of our oyster beds and the measures necessary for the rehabilitation of the industry, some points in the natural history of the mollusc must be called to mind. The oyster is a bivalve. The two valves or halves of the shell are joined together by a hinge which allows the oyster to gape so that water may be inhaled. It is by straining from this water the minute solid portions of marine animal and vegetable life that the oyster obtains the food on which it subsists. It is found upon the sea shores in a depth of a few feet of water and, being a brackish water form, flourishes best where streams of fresh water empty into the The degree of salinity of the water is an important factor in suc

ocean.

a The following price statistics, kindly supplied by A. Wilson & Son, of Halifax, show the rise in wholesale prices since 1890. The prices are those obtaining on or about Nov. 1 each year and are quoted f.o.b., point of shipment from fishing grounds.

In 1890, the price was $1.90 per bbl.

From 1890 to 1895, the price was from $2.00 to $2.30 per bbl.

From 1896 to 1907, the price rose from $2.30 to $4.50 per bbl.

In 1908 and 1909, prices averaged $6.50 to $7.00 per bbl., the maximum being $10.00

b Statistics compiled from Report of Customs Dept. for 1910, pp. 98-100.

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COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION

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OYSTER PRODUCTION IN CANADA FROM 1871 TO 1909 Figures denote number of barrels

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