PEI's acting Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture commented today on results of oyster sampling which the province and industry received this week from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
What was originally thought to be very low levels of MSX in Nova Scotia oysters that were transferred to PEI waters has turned out to be seaside organism, also known as SSO. Like MSX, seaside organism attacks the oyster tissue but poses no health risk to humans. SSO is a threat to local oyster stocks; however, mortalities reported with SSO in the United States, where it has been present for years, are usually less than the high levels reported with MSX.
"Because it has such a high mortality rate, MSX is a serious threat to the oyster industry. So even though the organism detected in the samples last fall was basically in a dormant state and was having no affect on the oyster, it is still good to know that it is not MSX," said Minister Gillan.
Sampling for MSX was carried out throughout the region last fall after the infection resulted in high oyster mortalities in one area of Cape Breton. At that time, results of sampling in Prince Edward Island indicated that no native PEI oysters tested positive for MSX, but that very low levels of MSX were detected at two sites where the oysters tested were known to have come from Nova Scotia and transferred to PEI waters. These oysters, along with additional samples from PEI, were examined further using DNA testing. Those results received this week confirmed the presence of SSO in the two original samples from PEI and two others.
"From what the scientists have told us, it is quite possible that SSO may have been present at background levels for some time and is only being detected now due to the intense screening that has been carried out here," said Minister Gillan. "There have been absolutely no oyster mortalities associated with SSO; however, provincial officials will continue to work closely with industry and DFO on an oyster sampling program."
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan raised the issue of long-term oyster sampling with his federal counterpart at the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting last Friday. Minister Deighan stressed the need for more resources for long-term monitoring of MSX to help ensure it does not spread beyond the area of Cape Breton where it was identified last fall. Minister Gillan said the results received this week reinforce Minister Deighan's point, as there is now a need to define exactly where MSX and SSO are found.
"Our Island oysters are world-renowned for their high quality and distinctive taste, and the oyster industry plays an important role in our Island economy," said Minister Gillan. "I assure fishers, growers and processors that the province shares their concern over any organism that could pose a threat to the oyster industry in Prince Edward Island."
Approximately 1,000 Island fishers, growers and processing plant workers derive their principal income from the oyster fishery. In 2001, oyster landings were 6.0 million pounds with the landed value $6.3 million.