THE WATER Arthur Yorston pictured with a cod caught by his father. Photo courtesy of Gertie Yorston . The shores of the coast had witnessed the arrival of uropeans since the late 16th century. The fishery, which had its winnings with the early French settlers, has been one of the most iportant industries in our area. The water, for sustenance, pleasure, >ort, or healing, has been at the center of most Islanders lives. As landers it is natural to have such a connection with the water: specially on PEI when one does not have to drive for more than a few linutes before hitting water. The sea helped to sustain the Mi'Kmaq and French settlers who "st lived on the Island. The Mi'Kmaq dug and gathered clams, oysters, id mussels, in addition too catching salmon, trout, and eel. They dried, dted, smoked, and pickled the fish to last them though the winter ionths. By 1720, St. Pierre had become the Island's chief fishing port, ■ost of the French settlers, who were deep-sea fishermen and shallop asters, faced many difficulties in establishing the fishing industry. In 733, the fishermen in St. Pierre lost most of their catch because ^uisbourg had no salt to sell them. After this, it was arranged to have a tip sent annually from France with supplies for the Island. (1) In the -nsus of 1752, the colony at St. Pierre had in its possession four 63