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Hidden away on Cortes Island in British Columbia's Desolation Sound, lives an oysterman totally dedicated to the cultivation of the perfect oyster`

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Brent Petkau the self proclaimed Oysterman of Cortes looks out the window of his squatter's shack on Marina Island in the Straight of Georgia, B.C. April 3, 2012 .John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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Brent Petkau AKA The Oysterman pulls up alongside a plywood platform floating off the shore of B.C.'s Cortes Island where thirty foot long ropes of oysters, clams and muscles grown from April 3, 2012.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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Brent Petkau AKA The Oysterman pulls up a thirty foot long rope of oysters, clams and mussels grown off a plywood platform floating off the shore of B.C.'s Cortes Island April 3, 2012.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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Brent Petkau the self proclaimed Oysterman of Cortes walks out onto the tidal flats on Marina Island in the Straight of Georgia, B.C. on his way to work his tidal lease where he grows his oysters and clams April 3, 2012 .John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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A Royal Courtesan oyster grown by Brent Petkau the self proclaimed Oysterman of Cortes is shucked in the tidal flats on Marina Island in the Straight of Georgia, B.C. April 3, 2012.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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Brent Petkau the self proclaimed Oysterman of Cortes shucks an oyster in the tidal flats on Marina Island in the Straight of Georgia, B.C. April 3, 2012.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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Brent Petkau the self proclaimed Oysterman of Cortes digs around in the tidal flats on Marina Island in the Straight of Georgia, B.C. looking for his clams April 3, 2012John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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