The East Bays region, in the northeast of the Island, extends from Colville Bay, at the mouth of the Souris River, south to Boughton Bay. Bay Fortune and Howe Bay complete the major waterways within this expansive region. The broad rivers flowing into the bays are fronted by thick dunes with long, sandy beaches. The landscape, a mix of forest and wetlands mingled with farms and pastureland, slopes gently down to the sea.
Oyster production in the region occurs up the sheltered rivers as well as within the exposed bays. There is occasional wild harvesting but most of the oysters in the East Bays come from private leases. Oyster farming is relatively new to the region. Introduced to Colville Bay in the late 1990s it then spread throughout the local waterways. There is some surface growing on the rivers, but most farms use bottom and off-bottom systems. The bottom systems are the most practical in the rough open waters of the bays.
South Lake, a long narrow tidal lagoon, sits to the north of the region. The productive leases within it play an important role in supplying young oysters to the area’s oyster farms.
The Colville Bay Oyster Co. are considered pioneer oyster farmers in The East Bays region. The company’s leases are located within its namesake bay at the mouth of the Souris River. The company processes from its plant off Lower Rollo Bay Road. The extended family serves up oysters and lobster at The Lobster Shack in Souris during the summer season.
colvillebayoysters.com
Retail/ Direct Retail Shipping/Offsite Oyster Shucking/Onsite Oyster Service/American Distribution
The East Cape Oyster Company has a full-sservice processing plant located in the north end of Charlottetown. The young company sources oysters from its leases within the the East Bays region. Using a variety of growing techniques they are able to exploit the best of the region’s natural characteristics.
eastcapeoyster.com
Retail/Direct Retail Shipping/Offsite Oyster Shucking/American Distribution
The Red Beard Shellfish Co. operates from its processing plant on the outskirts of the town of Souris. The company sources its oysters from its leases within Bay Fortune in The East Bays region. Focused on supplying local customers and the ospitality industry, the company has a genuine, low key approach.
