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Toronto Star
09-05-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
Oyster season opens in P.E.I. for first time since detection of MSX parasite
FREDERICTON - It's the first oyster season in Prince Edward Island since a destructive parasite was identified in the province's waters last summer, and harvesters are taking stock of the extent of the damage. P.E.I. Fisheries Minister Zack Bell said the parasite called multinucleate sphere unknown — also known as MSX — is 'pretty much almost (on) the entire Island.' The parasite targets both cultured and wild oysters, killing about 95 per cent of affected mollusks within two to three years of infection. MSX was found in P.E.I.'s Bedeque Bay and several other areas in July. It has been present in Nova Scotia since 2002 and in southern British Columbia since 2007. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says its investigation into the parasite in Bedeque Bay indicated MSX was widespread on the Island — that it was present or highly likely to be present in numerous bays and rivers across marine waters of the province. 'With the spring oyster fishery now reopening, we're beginning to see firsthand the impacts of MSX on oyster populations,' the agency said in an email. While MSX poses no risk to human health or food safety, it prevents oysters from thriving and can cause decreased rates of growth and increased oyster mortality, the agency said. Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, said his group accompanied provincial officials last week to check oysters in Bedeque Bay. The group spent nearly three hours and found about 30 oysters. Usually, there should be thousands, he said. 'It was devastating.' If an oyster-rich area such as Bedeque Bay is seeing a serious decline from MSX, he said, it doesn't bode well for other coastal areas that historically have had fewer mollusks. 'The big question is going to be come June and the little spots where people are fishing right now that definitely don't have the volume of oysters on them,' he said. The Island's oyster industry generated almost $24 million in revenue last year, with 10 million kilograms of oysters. It's the province's third-most lucrative seafood business, behind mussels at $29 million and lobster at $298 million. Bell said that so far, the extent of the damage from MSX is a 'mixed bag.' Some oyster-rich areas such as Lennox Island, Bedeque Bay and Percival River are seeing high mollusk death tolls, while other waterways are not seeing much of a decline. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The industry is hopeful the parasite can be contained, but the sector has also been hit by 25 per tariffs imposed by the Chinese government in retaliation for Canada's duties on electric vehicles. 'It's still really early in the season to know how much of an impact it's going to have on our exports, but the hope is we'll still have a lot of oysters to produce and be able to sell on the world market,' Bell said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oyster season opens in P.E.I. for first time since detection of MSX parasite
FREDERICTON – It's the first oyster season in Prince Edward Island since a destructive parasite was identified in the province's waters last summer, and harvesters are taking stock of the extent of the damage. P.E.I. Fisheries Minister Zack Bell said the parasite called multinucleate sphere unknown — also known as MSX — is 'pretty much almost (on) the entire Island.' The parasite targets both cultured and wild oysters, killing about 95 per cent of affected mollusks within two to three years of infection. MSX was found in P.E.I.'s Bedeque Bay and several other areas in July. It has been present in Nova Scotia since 2002 and in southern British Columbia since 2007. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says its investigation into the parasite in Bedeque Bay indicated MSX was widespread on the Island — that it was present or highly likely to be present in numerous bays and rivers across marine waters of the province. 'With the spring oyster fishery now reopening, we're beginning to see firsthand the impacts of MSX on oyster populations,' the agency said in an email. While MSX poses no risk to human health or food safety, it prevents oysters from thriving and can cause decreased rates of growth and increased oyster mortality, the agency said. Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, said his group accompanied provincial officials last week to check oysters in Bedeque Bay. The group spent nearly three hours and found about 30 oysters. Usually, there should be thousands, he said. 'It was devastating.' If an oyster-rich area such as Bedeque Bay is seeing a serious decline from MSX, he said, it doesn't bode well for other coastal areas that historically have had fewer mollusks. 'The big question is going to be come June and the little spots where people are fishing right now that definitely don't have the volume of oysters on them,' he said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Island's oyster industry generated almost $24 million in revenue last year, with 10 million kilograms of oysters. It's the province's third-most lucrative seafood business, behind mussels at $29 million and lobster at $298 million. Bell said that so far, the extent of the damage from MSX is a 'mixed bag.' Some oyster-rich areas such as Lennox Island, Bedeque Bay and Percival River are seeing high mollusk death tolls, while other waterways are not seeing much of a decline. The industry is hopeful the parasite can be contained, but the sector has also been hit by 25 per tariffs imposed by the Chinese government in retaliation for Canada's duties on electric vehicles. 'It's still really early in the season to know how much of an impact it's going to have on our exports, but the hope is we'll still have a lot of oysters to produce and be able to sell on the world market,' Bell said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
CBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. tourism operators uneasy about province taking over inspections, says Opposition
The province is planning to bring the inspection of tourist accommodations on Prince Edward Island in-house, a change the Official Opposition warns could lead to political interference. The move came to light through an exchange in question period at the P.E.I. Legislature Thursday, when interim Liberal Leader Hal Perry asked about independent oversight of the inspection process. The Central Bedeque-based non-profit organization Quality Tourism Services, or QTS, has been responsible for inspecting tourism properties on the Island for the past 30 years. Tourism Minister Zack Bell confirmed in the legislature that his department is now bringing that service under the government's roof. Who's inspecting the cottages and hotel rooms of P.E.I.? That's about to change... 26 minutes ago Duration 3:26 There are some big changes coming in the way tourism properties are inspected on Prince Edward Island, and not everybody thinks they're a good idea. The changes came to light during an exchange in the P.E.I. Legislature that included Tourism Minister Zack Bell (pictured). CBC's Wayne Thibodeau explains what's up. "We have been internally looking from the legal point of view, from the risk-management point of view, about bringing that service in-house," Bell said. "One of the main things that has come to our attention is that most of the government inspection services — for example fire or health inspections — are done in-house." According to Quality Tourism Services' website, the organization acts as an agent of the P.E.I. government "to conduct inspections of tourism establishments in accordance with the Tourism Industry Act and Regulations. QTS provides inspection services to all existing establishments and assists new or potential operators to become licensed." The inspections ensure the accommodations are clean and safe for the visitors who stay there. Perry said the province's decision to take over the service will undermine a proven system, and puts the Island's tourism reputation at risk. "We've heard from nearly a dozen tourism operators who are really worried about this government's plan… and they've raised some very serious concerns about trust, transparency and quality," he said. "Inspections have remained outside government for a reason. Bringing them in [house] risks political influence. If an inspection doesn't go well, an operator could feel pressure to call their MLA expecting a different outcome." I do feel that anyone who's doing the inspection service would do it to the best of their ability. — Tourism Minister Zack Bell Bell said the inspections prioritize the safety of the guests, and that he's confident political interference won't undermine the process. "I would highly suggest that that would not be the case," the tourism minister said. "I do feel that anyone who's doing the inspection service would do it to the best of their ability and keeping in the back of their mind that the end user is the visitor who is going to be affected by the inspection." QTS caught by surprise QTS executive director Colin MacIntyre told CBC News that the province's termination of the contract came as a surprise, and that most tourism operators aren't aware of the change. The organization was told inspectors will keep working until June 30. MacIntyre said the decision will leave 10 people out of work. He added that QTS's service costs the province nothing because the organization is funded through licensing fees paid by tourism operators. Now, all inspectors will have to be hired as government employees. Bell encouraged the current QTS employees to apply for the provincial jobs when they're posted. The tourism minister said he's confident the department can have inspectors hired to take over by July 1, but added that inspections usually take place outside the peak summer season these days. "We're trying to grow the season… outside of June, July and August, which would typically be a busier time, so we are seeing a lot more of the inspections being spread out throughout the year."
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Boston seafood show giving P.E.I. sellers a chance to tout products in the face of tariffs
Members of the P.E.I. seafood industry are attending the Seafood Expo North America in Boston as they look to expand their horizons in international markets in response to the U.S. tariff situation. This three-day exposition, collectively known as the Boston Seafood Show, is the largest of its kind in North America. It gives thousands of buyers and suppliers in the industry the chance to network and make deals. P.E.I. Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Minister Zack Bell, who is attending the expo, said a lot of the discussions with U.S. representatives sounded the same. "The big resounding thing that everybody is saying [is] no one wants tariffs. No one wants them. The Americans don't want them. We don't want them," the minister said. The P.E.I. Seafood Processors Association estimates P.E.I. exported about $324 million worth of seafood products to the U.S. in 2023, making it an important market for the province. After U.S. President Donald Trump first threatened to impose punishing tariffs against Canada, former premier Dennis King assembled Team P.E.I., composed of two dozen government officials and industry leaders, and hopped on a bus for a five-day road trip through the northeastern U.S. to talk about what tariffs would mean. At the time, it was reported that the trip was expected to cost taxpayers $250,000. CBC News requested a breakdown of the costs and is awaiting a response from the provincial government. Bell was present on that trip, and is now back in Boston. "We've been telling our suppliers and our producers [to] continue those conversations with the Americans, but at the same time explore those different markets," the minister said. "If tariffs do come in, then we do want our companies to try to diversify their markets to the extent that they can." Bell said his biggest surprise has been the number of Canadians approaching P.E.I. businesses at the Boston show. As much as the industry has been trying to push into non-U.S. international markets, he feels these discussions are important. "In Canada, we don't eat probably near enough seafood. And that's really what we want to try to push out… buy local, buy often." Since Trump launched the trade war, many Islanders have started buying more locally. Some retailers are more heavily promoting Canadian products to encourage that.
