Worries mount after parasite discovered in Bedeque Bay, says shellfish association president

Oyster fishers on P.E.I. are concerned about what effect the presence of a parasite in Bedeque Bay could have on their livelihoods.

Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, said it would be devastating if the disease spread beyond Bedeque Bay.

"It's definitely a worry because there's no way that we can survive, our industry can survive, if it spread all over the island. Like it's just, it's going to ruin us."

The uncertainty is weighing on the minds of oyster fishers, he said. He hopes they get more information at a meeting with interested groups on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Linkletter Community Centre.

"Everybody's worried, everybody's scared," MacLeod said. "There's lots of rumours going around."

He said generations of Islanders have made their living from oysters. "We don't know where it's going to take us but hopefully it didn't spread."

MSX hinders growth and increases oyster mortality. However, it poses no risk to human health, nor does it pose a risk to food safety, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

CFIA was alerted and began an investigation in June when fishers noticed some of their oysters were unhealthy and dying. 

Signs erected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada can be seen posted along the shores of Bedeque Bay that say the area is closed to all shellfish fishing, including oysters, clams and mussels. MacLeod said it was first closed after a major rainfall in June and has remained closed following the detection of MSX.

MacLeod said Bedeque Bay is a significant oyster fishing area for P.E.I., and he's looking forward to getting more information. 

He said if Bedeque Bay shuts down indefinitely and oyster fishers have to move to another location, it could put more strain on the industry.

"You're probably talking a thousand-plus people on the Island, easily, and it's a major blow to the economy in general."