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Orwell Cove

Shannon

/ 1 min read

Located east of Charlottetown, Orwell Cove is a sparsely populated region boasting rolling hills and well-kept farms. The main waterways are a complex of rivers and streams that converge on Orwell Bay. Orwell Cove itself is tucked into the eastern section of the bay. Point Prim juts out into the Northumberland Strait forming a protective barrier to the east. The region continues along the eastern edge of the point to include the two branches of the Pinette River. The shorelines are mostly an ill-defined mix of forest and wetland.

During the 1980s Orwell Cove was the site of the Island’s first successful oyster farming operation. It set the precedent for what was to become common practice across PEI. Today, there are extensive surface and bottom leases throughout the bay and up all the rivers.

Despite the extensive aquaculture, the region has received renewed interest from the public fishery. The Pinette River system in particular has been offering substantial yields of well-formed specimens.
The forms and colours of oysters from the Orwell Cove region vary substantially.  Those from the oyster farms range from a light brown almost grey shell to rusty red colours. The wild oysters are usually a dark brown with distinct emerald green highlights. Both benefit from the nutrient-rich tidal waters and produce meats with deep, complex flavours.
Bill and Stanley Oyster Company is family-run oyster farming operating out of Orwell Cove, PEI and Whitehead, Nova Scotia.

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