P.E.I. fisheries minister says support is coming to help oyster industry overcome MSX, dermo

P.E.I.'s fisheries minister says help is coming for the province’s oyster industry as it struggles against a dual disease threat — and he said that financial support will happen with or without the federal government.

The MSX parasite was first detected in P.E.I. waters in the summer of 2024. Another disease, dermo, was found earlier this year.

Neither is harmful to humans, but can be deadly to oysters — many of which are dying off while Island companies are waiting to sell them. 

Fisheries Minister Zack Bell faced questions from his own party in the legislature Tuesday about when the province is going to help people involved in the oyster industry who are facing significant losses.

“People need certainty so they can plan, pay their bills and keep their operations running,” said Progressive Conservative MLA Hilton MacLennan, who said Bell told Islanders support programs would be announced this week.

“Islanders deserve a clear timeline and a straightforward process to access help. Without that, we risk losing not just income but the stability of an entire sector that supports rural communities and drives economic growth.” 

Bell said his department is very close to releasing details of support programs geared toward the needs of three different sectors of P.E.I.’s oyster industry: fishers, growers and processors. 

“They’re all being affected differently,” Bell told reporters outside the legislative chamber. 

“We’ve been working very hard with industry to try to make sure that what we are going to be providing is going to be tailored, that it will hopefully support them.” 

Bell said his department plans to bring forward a support program for oyster fishermen in partnership with P.E.I.'s Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population that focuses on “reskilling and uptraining” as well as providing wage subsidies. 

He said after speaking with fishers it’s become clear that the biggest challenges will come next year. 

“We’ve heard that many will hopefully get their catches or their oysters this year, but our real fear from them is going to be in the spring.” 

When it comes to oyster growers, the industry has seen huge rates of mortality leading to massive losses, said Bell. The department plans to introduce a grant funding program for growers to “help them try to get through this period of tougher time.” 

Oyster processors have their own unique set of challenges, with some putting a stop or limit on purchasing oysters because of the diseases, he said. In response, the province will introduce a risk-mitigation program in the form of bridge funding to offset the cost of oysters that die from the diseases after processors purchase them.