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This article was written by Stephen Brun and originally published by CBC News on July 24, 2024 at 6:25PM ADT. We are sharing the full text here for reference. All rights remain with the original publisher.

Bedeque Bay-area MLA pushes for better communication, financial help from province

This map shows the zones on P.E.I., in red, where oysters have tested positive for the MSX pathogen. (CBC)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published the locations of three additional P.E.I. waterways where the presence of an oyster disease has been confirmed.

The areas where positive test results for MSX have now been confirmed are:

• Boughton River in eastern P.E.I.;
• New London Bay/Stanley Bridge in Queens County; and
• Birds Island to Black Banks, which extends along the North Shore from roughly Lennox Island to Cascumpec Bay.

That’s in addition to Bedeque Bay, where the pathogen was first detected on July 11.

Oyster harvesters like Dwayne Shaw of Alaska, P.E.I., have told CBC News they have little option for other income if they can’t continue fishing as they have been doing for decades. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC)

“CFIA employees are working around the clock to get permitting in place to enable the low-risk movement of oysters and other bivalves direct for human consumption or retail within or out of the PCZ — and other quarantined zones,” the inspection agency said in the statement.

“We empathize with the industry on the significant impacts on them from this detection, and greatly appreciate their support and patience as we develop our response to this disease. We need to get things right to help minimize the risk of further spread.”

The agency said it continues to test oysters from other P.E.I. waterways.

Need for clear communication

In a news release, Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane called on Premier Dennis King’s government to support research into MSX and provide financial help for the oyster industry.