Maine Coastal Survival and Foraging Trip (Part 5)
by George Hedgepeth
We searched for fish both from shore and by kayak, but we were disappointed. In fact, we did not see ANY fish at all until several days into the trip. We managed to bring in several fat Mackerel that weighed about a pound each. One of these was turned into sushi! I took a fresh Mussel shell that was a result of gathering bait and I stripped of the tape-like "lip" from the shell. This results in a sharp (though a bit delicate) edge that I used to clean and cut up the fish.
The other Mackerel were placed into the coals until they were done. They were a bit greasy, which was welcome after a week of greens and shellfish. Some of the foragers on this trip did not enjoy shellfish, so to them the fish was a very welcome addition indeed.
Away from the shore, the island also held animal life. We found the skeleton of a deer that looked like it had died during the previous winter, which provided several bones for projects and tools. Grouse were flushed from the edge of clearings in the
Red Spruce dominated forest. Many varieties of sea bird soared over the island, but I do not believe any nested there. All in all, I have no doubt that the sea was the real source of food for
native people in this area.
See related article:
A Forager's Bibliography
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