OTTAWA — On Jul. 11, 2024, P.E.I. first detected multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) — an oyster disease caused by the Haplosporidium nelsoni parasite. Since that time, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the province have increased sampling and testing of oysters in P.E.I. MSX poses no risk to human health or food safety.
On Feb. 7, 2025, the province was declared an area where MSX is known or is highly likely to occur given the evidence showing that MSX is already present, or is highly likely to be present, in most P.E.I. marine waters. This declaration does not mean that every oyster population in P.E.I. has MSX. Instead, it signals that the movement of P.E.I oysters which are not yet ready for commercial sale will be regulated according to the established Domestic Movement Control Program (DMCP).
Under the DMCP, oysters that have been grown to commercial size and processed for human consumption can still be exported and sold from P.E.I. However, oysters which are not ready for the commercial market are not permitted to be moved off P.E.I. for growing purposes. The province and DFO will to continue to use movement controls under the established Introductions and Transfer (I&T) licensing process to allow the safe movement of oysters within P.E.I.
This declaration simplifies the CFIA permitting process for P.E.I. oyster growers, harvesters, and processors, as CFIA permits will no longer be required for movement of oysters or gear within the declared area.
