Multiple federal agencies in Canada are working to help the oyster industry in the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI), as an outbreak of multinuclear sphere X (MSX) continues to impact the industry.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of MSX in areas of PEI in mid-July, and since that time, more areas are continuing to test positive for the presence of the disease. As a result of the discovery, the CFIA applied movement controls in multiple parts of the province to limit its spread.
Now, the CFIA and Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are working to support the oyster industry as MSX continues to spread.
The DFO announced it will provide up to CAD 1 million (USD 729,000, EUR 662,000) in funding over the next two years to support scientific research to better understand MSX. Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier also announced a new science summit on MSX, scheduled for fall 2024, to gather experts to discuss the disease.
“Prince Edward Island has long been known for its delicious and fresh oysters. The recent detection of MSX in oysters in PEI reminds us how much remains to be learned about the disease,” Lebouthillier said. “While there are no risks from a food safety perspective, we need to better understand how MSX is spread among shellfish and how it can be prevented in the future to support a healthy seafood industry that harvesters and communities can continue to depend on.”
As the DFO provides funding to research the disease, the CFIA has simultaneously developed a new permitting process that allows for the movement of MSX contaminated oysters slated for human consumption.
“The CFIA has put in place permits and conditions that enable the low-risk movement of oysters and other bivalves intended for human consumption or retail within or out of the PCZ and other quarantined zones,” the agency said. “The CFIA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and the Province of PEI continue to meet with industry members and stakeholders to provide regular updates and address questions and concerns.”
