Prince Edward Island’s fisheries minister has assured support for the struggling oyster industry in the face of two disease threats, with or without federal assistance. The MSX parasite was discovered in PEI waters in 2024, followed by the detection of another disease, dermo, earlier this year. These diseases pose no harm to humans but are devastating for oysters, leading to significant losses for Island companies awaiting sales.
During a legislative session, Fisheries Minister Zack Bell faced queries from his party members about the timeline for aiding individuals in the oyster industry suffering losses. Progressive Conservative MLA Hilton MacLennan emphasized the need for clear support programs to prevent income loss and maintain economic stability in rural communities.
Bell announced plans to unveil tailored support programs for three sectors of PEI’s oyster industry: fishers, growers, and processors. Programs will include reskilling initiatives, wage subsidies, and grant funding to address the unique challenges faced by each sector.
For oyster fishermen, a partnership program with PEI’s Department of Workforce will focus on reskilling and wage subsidies to prepare for challenges anticipated next year. Growers will receive grant funding to navigate high mortality rates, while processors will benefit from a risk-mitigation program offering bridge funding to offset costs of diseased oysters.
Despite seeking federal support for the programs, Bell affirmed that PEI will proceed with or without assistance from the federal government, estimating the total cost of the initiatives to exceed $10 million. While specific rollout dates were not disclosed, Bell aims to provide updates soon.