The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, announced up to $1 million in funding over the next two years to support scientific research towards addressing knowledge gaps in our understanding of MSX. The Minister also announced a Science Summit on MSX that will occur in Fall 2024, which will gather experts and partners to discuss what we know about MSX as well as priority areas for additional research.

MSX was first detected in Canada in Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in 2002 and has continued to impact oyster populations in that area. The recent detection in July 2024 of MSX in oysters in PEI, in Bedeque Bay, and several other important oyster growing and harvesting areas has put a renewed focus on MSX.

Participation in the upcoming Science Summit is expected to include a range of experts, including federal and provincial representatives, Indigenous organizations, academic researchers, and industry. The federal government is committed to working collaboratively with a range of partners, including the Province of Prince Edward Island, to advance knowledge and innovation in oyster science. They recognize the importance of this research for both the economic stability of the oyster industry and the ecological health of their marine environments.

“Our oyster industry is a vitally important part of the Island economy and so many folks depend on it to earn their living. I’m pleased that our government is investing in research to better understand this disease and bringing together researchers and experts at a Science Summit planned for later this fall. By focusing on research and sharing knowledge and experience, we can chart a path forward for the future of PEI’s oyster industry,” commented the Honorable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“The aquaculture industry employs thousands of Islanders, has a significant economic impact, contributes to tourism, and is one of our most popular exports. All levels of government and industry will continue working together to ensure the protection and success of the industry and those who work within it,” added Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque.

Quick Facts

• MSX is not a food safety concern.
• Haplosporidium nelsoni (H. nelsoni) is the causative agent of multinucleate sphere unknown X (MSX) disease in cultured and wild American oysters. 
• Potential oyster mortalities in excess of 90 percent have been recorded in some instances.
• Canada’s National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), co-delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is responsible for preventing the introduction and/or spread of significant aquatic animal diseases of finfish, mollusks, and crustaceans.