P.E.I. oyster shucker finds pearl

A P.E.I. fish-plant worker made the rare discovery of a pearl in an oyster after only six weeks on the job.

Joseph MacDougall, who shucks oysters at Future Seafoods in Bedeque, was on the production line two weeks ago when he pried one open and found something unusual inside.

"I cut it in two and out dropped a little white thing," he said. "I wasn't quite sure what it was, I asked [a co-worker], and he kind of jokingly said, 'It might be a pearl.'"

It was about the size of a pea, smooth, round, and yellow-white. Managers at the plant confirmed it was a pearl.

Future Seafoods president Brian Lewis said he had never seen one during his career.

"You'll see them in the southern waters where it's warm, but not here," he said.  

Fisherman Manual Marche said he had only found one during his 20 years on boats, and he threw it back.

MacDougall said he's keeping his and may try to sell it one day. Until then, it will be framed and put on display for visitors to see at the seafood plant.

"This is actually my sixth week working here, and I was told that we would never find one," he said. "So I was pretty happy. I hope I can find another one in six weeks."