The lookout over French River is where I take seasonal photos for the header of my blog. This place shows the connection between the land and sea on Prince Edward Island and it keeps drawing me back. However, the province wide shut-down of all but essential businesses due to Covid 19 has had a huge impact on this island. The pandemic has impacted this scene, more obviously in some ways than others.
Our most recent visit to the area occurred after the end of the spring lobster fishery when fishers had returned their traps to the wharf and fishing shacks. While the fishery began after a late start, decreased demand affected prices this year. Restaurants were closed for months and eventually opened with reduced capacity. Prices were down and demand decreased.
Along the channel from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the mussel beds hold their briny treasures,
waiting for the boats to harvest them. However demand for this product is down this year too.
Meanwhile, in the fields, potatoes are in blossom already.
However, there aren’t as many fields planted with potatoes this year. Covid has kept the demand for potatoes and many other food products down.
The golf course across the channel is open but not as busy as other years due to tourism restricted to Atlantic Canadians.
Around the wharf, the heartbeat of the community, the gently rolling hills are lush and green. Everything looks serene.
While life continues through the pandemic, the economic lives of families who rely on the land and sea around French River and indeed all of Prince Edward Island has been hugely impacted. This peaceful scene doesn’t tell the whole story.
