A company in Prince Edward Island is seeking permission to import disease-resistant oyster seed and broodstock from the United States. This request comes as the Island's oyster industry faces challenges from two diseases, MSX and dermo, which have recently been detected in local waters. While these diseases do not pose a risk to humans, they can be fatal for oysters.

Atlantic Aqua Farms has submitted applications to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to begin importing the oyster stock as soon as possible. "We would have liked to see the approval for this year, because we are very concerned about the future of our farm," said Meredith White, the director of hatcheries for Atlantic Aqua Farms. She noted that while the company has not experienced significant mortality, many of their oysters are testing positive for MSX. White added, "We are anticipating the mortality to come, and we certainly understand that the industry has severely suffered on the Island."

The provincial government is also advocating for a support program for P.E.I.'s oyster industry, which they plan to pitch to Ottawa this week. Local oyster fishers are feeling the impact as some companies have stopped purchasing due to the risks associated with MSX.

There are concerns regarding the survival of the imported oysters during P.E.I.'s winters. However, White explained that the oysters are grown in Maine and have been tested for cold weather resilience. The imported oysters would be placed in a quarantined facility to mitigate the risk of introducing new diseases. Despite these precautions, some local stakeholders remain skeptical.

Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, expressed his concerns about the potential introduction of new diseases. "Why take a chance and take in another disease? Like, we don't know how these diseases got here now," he said. MacLeod also highlighted the potential negative impact on wild oyster fishers, stating, "I don't think too much of it because it's triploid oysters that don't reproduce, so that's not really helping the wild industry at all."

On the other hand, some industry members support the importation of the oyster stock. Darcy Foley, president of the Island Oyster Growers Group, believes it is a necessary step. "I think it's probably a step in the right direction," he said. Foley noted that the group recently voted in favor of the proposal, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "If we leave this too long, there will be no oysters to grow anyway."

Foley mentioned that the industry is eager for a swift approval from the CFIA, as many growers are already experiencing high mortality rates among their oysters. He warned that delays could worsen the situation.

Even if the import is approved for 2026, White indicated that it would take years to see any results. "Any delay after that is pushing this down the road," she said. The winter season ahead is expected to be particularly challenging for those in the oyster industry, as they prepare for the next growing cycle.