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Friday 26 August 2016

Side by side

We live in seafood paradise on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Haddock, halibut, mussels, oysters, lobster, scallops, crab, and more are available in season and beyond. There are fish markets all around the island which carry mostly fresh inventory, all of which we have enjoyed. Cod, our favourite white fish, is usually available, though often brought from Nova Scotia.

 
                                                         Meal of cod and photo by Aunt M. Smith

With many of my forefathers having had a history in the fishery in Newfoundland, I always enjoy the sight of the fishing boats in the harbours around this island. Though many of these boats look different from the boats I remember, they are reminiscent of home. During a recent visit to Cabot Park along the north coast, we watched the boats go by in the channel on their way to and from Darnley Basin, their port. People relaxed along the beach and in the water at low tide, oblivious to the marine activity.

 
 
One boat looked like it had tourists out for a cruise on the bay, as beach-goers walked on the sand bars. It was a setting representative of the island.

 
 

Many of the boats have black buoys on the deck. 

 

They are from the mussel fishery, as socks, long mesh bags of mussels, are kept floating in the ocean by the buoys attached to the supporting line at the surface. Harvesting of the lines of mussels means the buoys are brought ashore, where they are stored.


The fishers hoist the lines of mussels out of the water via a winch located in the center of the deck. 

 

They remove the mussels from the socks on deck and in port, deliver them to the fish plant across from the wharf.

 

The day we were at Darnley Basin, a transport truck left the plant with fresh mussels for markets around Canada and beyond. 

 
                   Bird's eye view of Cabot Beach with Darnley Basin left of center, photo by B. Noall

The mussels are available year round, though production is reduced in the summer when the animals are spawning. The fishing industry makes Darnley Basin a busy place, while locals and tourists relax on Cabot Beach on the other side of the sand dunes. Work and relaxation exist side by side on this gentle island.

 

Thank you to Aunt M. Smith and B. Noall for the photos.

27 comments:

DJan said...

Really interesting to learn about mussel fishing. I've got that song going through my head now about Molly Malone and her song about cockles and mussels, alive alive-O! :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Not a seafood fancier myself. Not even a big fish eater. But I DO love a nice bit of pan-fried haddock. Yum yum!

Joanne Noragon said...

I love the Maine coast and all the fishing. I love fish!

Angela said...

I love seafood!!! I am asking God how come I wasn't born to live by the sea. :) Very pretty photos!!

Celia said...

What a great place to live, and your pictures, wow, I can smell the salt air. I lived in what was a fishing village as a small child (now its a tourist trap sadly) and sometimes I dream about it.

Jackie said...

Gorgeous day....
I learn a lot from my blogging friends.
(And I love seafood!)

Barbara said...

Interesting. I haven't watch the video yet but I'll get back to you shortly.

Elephant's Child said...

What a beautiful, beautiful place. To live, to work, to relax...

Marie Smith said...

Love that song! Thanks for the reminder!

Marie Smith said...

Haddock is good but cod is better, says the Newfoundlander! Lol.

Marie Smith said...

It is delicious! Chowders and au gratins especially.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you. Life by the sea is wonderful!

Marie Smith said...

I can understand the dreams of the sea. It seeps into your soul somehow.

Marie Smith said...

Seafood is so good. I love all of it too.

Marie Smith said...

Hope you enjoy the videos.

Marie Smith said...

We are lucky to live here for sure!

Anvilcloud said...

The past is still charmingly with us.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos. Now I am craving cod. We've been told around here the stocks of cod are depleted and we should eat something else. But now I wonder.

Marie Smith said...

It is indeed!

Marie Smith said...

Cod is finally back in the waters around Newfoundland. It is delicious!

baili said...

nice food and pics are very live and interesting best wishes

Marie Smith said...

Thank you for visiting, baili.

Down by the sea said...

I have recently been reading so much about the fishermen who left these shores to fish in Newfoundland, it is wonderful to read about the current day fishing as it brings it altogether. Sarah x

Marie Smith said...

Some things have not changed despite technology, such as the seasons for certain species.

The Furry Gnome said...

Love to have some of that seafood!

Marie Smith said...

We like to share it, FG.

Mage said...

Truly wonderful. :)