PEI company seeks approval to import disease-resistant oyster stock from US

A PEI company is seeking approval to import disease-resistant oyster seed and broodstock from the United States as the island’s oyster industry grows. Struggles with MSX and Dermo.

Neither disease – which was recently found in the island’s waters – poses a threat to humans, but can be fatal to oysters.

Atlantic Aqua Farms has applied to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or DFO, to begin importing oyster seed and broodstock as soon as possible.

“We would love to see approval for this year, because we are very concerned about the future of our farm,” said Meredith White, hatchery director for Atlantic Aqua Farms.

“Atlantic Aqua Farms is very fortunate that we have not had significant mortality, but we have had a significant number of our oysters test positive for MSX….

“We are anticipating the mortality to come, and we certainly understand that the industry on the island has suffered severe losses.”

White said there were some concerns that the American animals would not survive the PEI winter, but they have been raised by the company in Maine and have been tested to survive cold weather.

Imports will also be sent to an isolated facility to address concerns about importing new diseases – but for some, that’s not enough.

‘Why take the chance?’

Bob MacLeod, president of the PEI Shellfish Association, which represents wild oyster fishermen, is also among those concerned.

“Why take the risk and get another disease? Like, we don’t know how these diseases got here,” he said. “So to open the door … to get product from states, who knows where the disease is going to come from?”

McLeod is also concerned about the impact imports could have on wild oyster fishermen.

“I don’t think too much about it because it’s a triploid oyster that doesn’t reproduce, so it’s not really helping the wildfire industry,” he said.

“Why would we want to jeopardize what we have? PEI is known for Malpeque oysters, and these are not Malpeque oysters.”

‘A step in the right direction’

There are others who support the import of seed and broodstock from south of the border.

Darcy Foley, president of the Island Oyster Growers Group, told CBC News it’s a good move.

“I think it’s probably a step in the right direction,” he said. “If we leave it too long there won’t be any oysters left to grow.”

The group recently voted in favor of the proposal.

“It was pretty unanimous that all growers support (Atlantic Aqua Farms) in their plan,” Foley said. He said that attention is being paid to the risk of arrival of new diseases.

“There will already be precautions in place. This will all be done in laboratories and hatcheries, and I think we’re pretty safe in that aspect.”

Foley said the industry wants to get approval from the CFIA as soon as possible.

“We’re already seeing growers… (with) high mortality rates, and I think it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the industry feels the same way.”

results will take years

White said that even if imports by Atlantic Aqua Farms are approved for 2026, it will be years before any results are seen.

“Any delay after this is just going to make it worse,” he said. “(We are) very concerned about the state of the industry, with many farmers seeing significant mortality.”

Meanwhile, Foley said this winter will be tough for those in the industry.

“Now the cages are down, so we get a little break from thinking about it. But once we get them up again, you’ll be back, face to face with it first.”