Diseases of MSX and Dermo oysters: the east of the country on the edge of the abyss

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (ECIA) plans to designate the entire east of the country as a contaminated area to MSX and Perkinsose diseases, also known as dermo disease.

The Federal Agency made this proposal to industry representatives during a recent telephone meeting. In a written declaration, theAcia Do not denial that the idea is indeed on the table.

These changes would have the effect of allowing producers of these regions to import or export oysters inside the same area.

If some producers are delighted to be able to trade more freely, others are worried that diseases are prematurely bringing in their aquaculture facilities.

Few free regions

Diseases MSX And Dermo cause high oyster mortality rates, but they pose no risk for consumption. Since July 2024, one or the other has been found of these diseases, or both, in Prince Edward Island, in Nova Scotia, in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Gaspésie, in Bay-des-Chaleurs as well as in aquaculture sites south of New Brunswick to the Tracadie river.

In the east of the country, there is only Shippagan and Caraquet which are not targeted by restrictions.

Martin Mallet, owner of Mallet oysters, in Shippagan, understands why theAcia made this proposal to industry.

The risk is sufficiently high; The agency considers that these diseases can exist everywhere, he explains. Essentially, theAcia wants to get out of the management process.

Mr. Mallet adds that exchanges between producers can become complicated to manage.

This does not prevent him from hoping that the arrival of diseases in his region is pushed back as much as possible.

I absolutely do not want to receive contaminated oysters. The situation should not be made. We can sell our oysters everywhere, but, even more important, our oysters that we grow are healthyunderlines Martin Mallet.

Diseases Most probably present

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency explains that diseases are Most probably present Everywhere already.

Extensive oyster movements known throughout the region, combined with current diagnostic and epidemiological data, indicate that the disease MSX And perkinsosis (dermo) are present, or most likely, in many bays and rivers of marine waters in eastern Canadaspecifies the federal agency.

The Islands-de-la-Madeleine were recently placed by theAcia in regulated zone, even if no case of MSX or dermo disease was found there.

This has the effect of allowing producers of the Islands-de-la-Madeleine to start importing oysters from regions where diseases have been detected.

The Director of Oyster Operations Old Harry, The Madelinot Alexandre Brazeau, is angry. He does not understand why the Canadian Food Inspection Agency protects from northern New Brunswick producers and not those of the Ile-de-la-Madeleine.

Why is the north of New Brunswick excluded and not us? The agency voluntarily wants to introduce these diseases to the Islands-de-la-Madeleine. I’m stunned! I lost confidence in the agency. They are saying that in the islands, we can continue to import contaminated oysters even if we have not had the virus. My jaw on the ground.

He deplores that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not done a screening test in the Ile-de-la-Madeleine since July 2024. Alexandre Brazeau contacted the agency to require details on what he describes as an inconsistent and scientific foundation, but he has not obtained an answer.

An interrelated industry

Oyster farmers move millions of oysters from one site to another each year. Producers buy seed oysters, to make them grow in their bay; Other producers buy more mature oysters, to resell them after a few months in the water.

Producers from contaminated regions can only buy and sell seed oysters inside their area. However, they can sell mature and consumption oysters. This is what is currently happening to Prince Edward Island.

Producers in healthy areas cannot import oysters from primary control areas (contaminated or regulated areas). This prevented Quebec producers at the start of the summer from the farming oysters in the sectors of the Maritimes where diseases have been detected.

L’Acia said on July 4 that all Quebec rivers would now be regulated, that is to say that oyster imports from the maritime provinces can start again, with the obtaining of permit.

If all of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are placed in the contaminated zone, this would greatly decrease the administrative burden on exchanges.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada could still prohibit oyster transfers thanks to its introductory and transfer license program, if theAcia withdraw from the file.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not yet made a decision on the status of the whole region. Meetings take place every two weeks with industry representatives to discuss with them the long -term management of these diseases.