“Devastating news for our province”: Prince Edward Island oyster industry struck by parasitic disease

Prince Edward Island’s oyster industry is at risk, following news a harmful parasitic disease has been detected in wild oyster populations in Bedeque Bay. 

According to a statement released on July 13 by Hon. Cory Deagle, Prince Edward Island (PIE) Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, tests on wild oysters in the Bay have confirmed the presence of multinuclear sphere X (MSX) caused by the parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni. 

“While MSX prevents oysters from thriving, such as decreased rates of growth and increased oyster mortality, there is no human health risk associated with MSX. Island shellfish, including oysters, remain a safe, delicious and nutritious food source,” Deagle said, noting that the PIE Ministry is working with Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to contain the outbreak and limit spread.  

However, the detection of MSX is provoking significant concern amongst Prince Edward Island communities. 

“The presence of MSX in oysters in Bedeque Bay is devastating news for our province. It isn’t just about the impact on our oyster industry, it is about the livelihood of Islanders, their families and our communities. The Island’s oyster industry is part of our culture and tradition. We are proud to be home to the finest oysters in the world," Deagle said. 

“This is the first time we have had to deal with MSX in our province and while MSX has been heavily researched over the years, scientists, researchers, and fishers around the globe still do not understand how the disease spreads. It will take time before we know the full extent of the impact on our industry. “ 

The Minister indicated that Prince Edward Island authorities would continue working with their federal counterparts "to keep industry informed on the latest findings of our monitoring work".  

“While inspection, regulation and control fall under the authority of CFIA and DFO, as the provincial body for aquaculture, the shellfish sectors, and their processors, the provincial government has always been, and will always be, here to support our industries in times of great difficulty. Many of our oyster fishers have given their entire adult lives to the industry – we will continue to be there to support them,” Deagle said.

According to separate reports by CBC News, local oyster industry stakeholders are worried the parasitic disease may have spread beyond Bedeque Bay, due to wild oysters being sent for processing in other locations on the island. 

"It's definitely a worry because there's no way that we can survive, our industry can survive, if it spread all over the island. Like it's just, it's going to ruin us,” said Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, in a CBC report on July 14. 

"It's still very early in the process to say specifically the impact that it's going to have immediately," Peter Warris, executive director of the P.E.I. Aquaculture Alliance, told CBC News on July 15. "But it has the potential to be a serious challenge for the industry."

Prince Edward Island is famous for its shellfish and in particular its oysters, which according to Prince Edward Island Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, first came to international attention at a Paris exhibition in 1900 when the PEI Malpeque oyster was declared the world’s tastiest oyster.

Oysters and shellfish are also an very important sector for the PEI economy, with fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing a major employer.

According to government statistics, annually PEI accounts for 26% of Canadian oyster production and 74% of Atlantic Canada oyster production.

In 2023, PEI produced 13,993,897 lbs (6,348 metric tons) landed-weight of oysters, with a value of CDN $23,790,000 (EUR 16 million / USD 16 million).