Biologists and other experts in the oyster industry gathered for a conference in Summerside this week are sharing knowledge as the MSX outbreak leaves harvesters and processors on Prince Edward Island trying to navigate a path forward.
MSX or multinucleate sphere X was first detected in P.E.I.’s Bedeque Bay on July 11, but it has since been confirmed in several waterways around the province.
While the parasite isn’t dangerous to humans, it can be deadly to oysters and has the potential to severely cut production wherever it takes hold.
Peter Warris, executive director with the P.E.I. Aquaculture Alliance, said Wednesday’s agenda focused on getting industry perspectives on how the Island can learn to manage the parasite.
- How the P.E.I oyster fishery could find a way out of its MSX crisis
- Darnley Basin is 5th P.E.I. waterway to test positive for oyster disease, says CFIA
“We really wanted to get the industry together to be able to learn from some growers and fishers and folks in other parts of North America who’ve gone through the impacts of MSX, so from Nova Scotia and from Maine and from Virginia,” Warris said.
Many in P.E.I.’s oyster industry are concerned about what it’s going to mean to their livelihood.
