Following the detections of two aquatic animal diseases, multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and Dermo (also known as perkinsosis), in several eastern Canadian provinces, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is introducing new oyster movement controls covering Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Québec.
Neither MSX nor Dermo pose risks to human health or food safety, but they can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates.
Starting on September 2, 2025, the waters of eastern Canada – meaning Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Québec – will be declared as areas where the aquatic animal diseases, MSX and Dermo, are present or very likely to be present. This means that the movement of oysters which are not yet ready for commercial sale will be managed according to the CFIA’s established Domestic Movement Control Program (DMCP).
Under the DMCP, oysters that have been grown to commercial size and processed for human consumption can still be exported and sold. However, oysters that are not ready for the commercial market (and are still growing) are not permitted to be moved outside of the declared areas. These changes simplify the permitting process for oyster growers, harvesters, and processors in eastern Canada, as CFIA permits will no longer be required for the movement of oysters or gear within the declared areas. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to manage oyster movements within and between provinces in eastern Canada through the Introductions and Transfer (I&T) Licensing Program, in collaboration with the respective provincial authority and, when appropriate, in consultation with the CFIA.