Oyster Conservation in Connecticut: Past and Present

Abstract

HE earliest inhabitants of North America found extensive oyster beds in our coastal waters, near the mouths of creeks and rivers, in shallow water, and on tidal flats. Great shell heaps containing traces of campfires, arrowheads, pieces of pottery, and other evidence show that Indians on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts were attracted to the natural oyster beds and attached importance to oysters as an article of food. The mounds of Damariscotta are estimated to contain shells of 170,000,000 oysters.' The coastal tribes even dried oysters and used them as an article of commerce with Indians in the interior.