FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2024
Statement from Matt MacFarlane calling for Better Research into MSX and Financial Support for the Oyster Industry
Charlottetown, PE – It’s now been two weeks since the parasite MSX was discovered in oysters in Bedeque Bay. Since then I’ve heard from shellfish growers, processors and others in the industry who are rightfully concerned about the future of the industry and their livelihoods here on the Island.
While this parasite does not render infected oysters unsafe for human consumption, it has the potential to kill up to 95% of oysters in the areas it infects. This devastating pathogen was first discovered in the 1950s in the United States and has existed right next door in Cape Breton for over 20 years. Now, perhaps unsurprisingly given how close MSX has been to PEI for the last couple of decades, it has made its way into our waters.
The provincial government had decades to prepare for a devastating shellfish disease that scientists knew about for 70 years and existed in our shared waters with Cape Breton for more than two decades. It is unacceptable how little research has been done on this by our government. The lack of attention to this known parasite from successive PC and Liberal governments, including the current King government, puts Island oyster harvesters in an incredibly vulnerable position.
Compounding producers’ problems, this discovery comes on the heels of significant devastation caused by Fiona to many oyster and mussel beds and fishing equipment. As of last week, much of the promised financial compensation that the Minister responsible for Fisheries Cory Deagle committed to has not made it into the hands of harvesters. So far less than half of the applications have been processed. This almost two year delay on these payments leaves many in the industry rightfully concerned about what will happen should they require financial help from the province due to MSX.
The King government needs to immediately and clearly communicate with all participants in the shellfish industry, providing frequent and regular updates on any rule changes and new protocols, and ensuring that CFIA moves quickly with continued MSX testing and data updates with clear direction to producers and processors. Government also needs to commit to ready financial support for those in affected areas shut down by positive test samples – and ensure that harvesters will not be made to wait for years to see this support.
We also need to think about the future – something we should have done years ago before we were in this situation. The provincial and federal governments need to immediately invest in research on this disease to ensure that the industry as a whole can understand and hopefully avoid or at least mitigate any negative effects from it in the future. Some in the industry told me that some research was and continues to be done in Cape Breton, and we need to immediately support and collaborate in this research to ensure it continues and advances.
Our oyster industry and its participants are a vital part of our economy and our way of life. It is crucial that we take swift and decisive action to protect them now and for future generations.
Matt MacFarlane
Third Party Critic for Fisheries
MLA Borden-Kinkora
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca