364 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Visit to the Colne Fishery Board's Oyster Beds on Pewit Island
(989th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER, 1955
Shells of the "native" Essex oyster (Ostrea edulis var.) have been found
among the kitchen refuse of pre-Roman British dwellings and of Romano-
British villas, and even in ancient Rome itself. Frank Buckland was of
the opinion that it was only naturally found in the estuaries of Essex and
Kent, and elsewhere had been introduced. Just as our "native" is superior
in flavour to all other oysters, so the Pyefleet "native" surpasses all others
for size and quality. Why this should be is not certainly known, but true
it is.
Thirty members and friends attended this meeting. The party, under
the leadership of Mr. E. F. Williams, met Mr. J. E. Francis (Foreman
of the Colne Fishery Board) at Brightlingsea and sailed at 11.30 a.m. in
one of the Board's diesel-engined smacks for Pewit Island. This island
lies in the Pyefleet, which separates Mersea Island from the mainland.
The weather could not have been more pleasant—hot sun and a cloudless
sky were with us all day. Dredging samples were taken, and a list of the
catch is appended. It is of interest to note that examples of no less than
seven Phyla were caught; only the sea can provide such a wealth of diverse
forms of life.
On arrival at Pewit Island it was seen that the tide was still making,
and the island, which consists only of saltings, was completely submerged.
The opportunity was therefore taken to have lunch aboard, by which time
the ebb had run long enough for the party to land. Mr. Francis showed
members some of the modern oyster beds, which are constructed of concrete,
the bottoms being covered to a depth of some six inches with brick rubble,
stones, old oyster shells, etc., known as "culch". The oyster likes this;
he also likes frequent changes of water, so the beds are so placed that they
are washed by the tide twice in each '21 hours. The beds in general use
elsewhere are shallow diggings in the saltings, the sides of which are
boarded and the bottoms culched. It is patent that these are more difficult
to clean
Mr. Francis then took the party through the sheds where the oysters are
cleaned and graded for the market. Although the lay-out is modern, it is
interesting to note that the tools and utensils are those in use since the
time when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. Further
research is called for in regard to the names by which such articles as the
knives and baskets are known. It appears that some of the names are
archaic words of Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon origin. It must not be
overlooked that the Danes occupied Mersea Island from 895 a.d. onwards.
After a pleasant hour or so exploring the saltings, the party re-embarked
and a quick passage was made back to Brightlingsea. A young porpoise
was seen. On landing, Mr. Francis was thanked for the interesting and
able way in which he had explained the mysteries of the "native", and the
party then made for the Swan Hotel, where Mrs. Hone had prepared a
substantial tea. After tea the usual formal meeting was held, with Mr.
Harley, Vice-President, in the chair.
The Chairman called upon Dr. R. H. Nisbet to comment on the marine
biology of the day, which he did in the most informative and interesting
way. The nature of the trip and the concentration of the party on the
excitement and the special interests of the island precluded much obser-
vation on the plants, birds and insects, so there were no comments on these
groups.