Cascumpec

Raquel

/ 1 min read

The Cascumpec Bay drains the surrounding region through three broad waterways: the Foxley River, the Mill River, and the Kildare. Sparsely populated with villages and farms, much of the region is forest and wetlands. Great peat fens lay enclosed within some of the wetlands.

The Cascumpec region has been an important oyster fishing district since the late 1850s. An early survey that mapped the region’s extensive oyster beds shows some beds choking the channels and impeding navigation.

Unregulated harvesting eventually exhausted the natural oyster beds and by the early twentieth century, the fishery had lost much of its value.

The introduction of oyster farming over the last few decades, along with enhancement programs that revitalized the natural oyster beds, has allowed Cascumpec to re-emerge as one of PEI’s most fertile oyster-producing regions.

Named for the large sheltered bay that defines much of the northwest part of the island, Cascumpec sustains highly-prized oysters.

Farmed oysters from this region are easily identified by their deep, cocoa-brown, shells. The wild catch, with equally dark brown shells, has a hint of emerald green to them. Both offer full-bodied meats with rich, nutty flavours.

The Cascumpec Bay Oyster Co. plant is located up the Trout River within the Cascumpec region. The family-run operation is focuses on farmed oysters from its own leases and those of supply partners within the Foxley River system. Locals and visitors are invited to enjoy freshly shucked oysters overlooking the picturesque river from the company’s seasonal oyster deck.

cacumpecbayoysterco.com

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The Sweet Oyster Co. is located on the Gordons Wharf Road that runs to its namesake at the mouth of the Foxley River. With a multi-generational connection to the region, the company focuses on farming premium oysters from its own leases as well as other farmed product from within the Cascumpec region.

sweet oyster.ca

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