Oyster bar owners on P.E.I. say future of industry could be at stake due to MSX parasite

Some restaurant owners are concerned for the future of Prince Edward Island's oyster industry after the recent discovery of a parasite in Bedeque Bay.

Despite the news and the concern, oysters are still a popular item on P.E.I. menus. 

Phyllis Carr, owner of Carr's Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge, said her supply of local oysters is strong, but she's worried about the impact the parasite could have in the years ahead.

"Next year, who knows what we'll have. That's the scary part," Carr said. 

The parasite, multinuclear sphere X (MSX), was discovered in some oysters from Bedeque Bay earlier this week. It doesn't pose a threat to humans, so the oysters are still safe to eat. 

But MSX slows down oysters' growth and kills many of them.

'Not going to hurt them'

Some customers have asked about the parasite, Carr said, but are still ordering oysters. 

"We're just trying to keep the people understanding that they can still eat this quality food," she said. "It's not going to hurt them."

Carr said she's seeing a higher than average number of dead oysters in the shipments coming to her restaurant, and is keeping a close eye on the situation. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada closed Bedeque Bay to shellfish harvesting because of a large rainfall in June, and the area has remained closed since MSX was discovered.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was testing oysters this week to determine if the parasite has spread to other areas of P.E.I. It expects more results soon.

MSX wiped out oyster stocks in Chesapeake Bay, between Maryland and Delaware, in the 1950s. It had never been spotted north of Maine until 2002 when it was detected in Cape Breton — where it has affected the industry ever since. 

P.E.I. Fisheries Minister Cory Deagle said Tuesday the province is prepared to provide financial help to the province's oyster industry if needed. 

Oyster sales are up

At Claddagh Oyster House in Charlottetown, oyster sales are up from last year, said Nick Holland, vice-president of Claddagh Holdings. 

He said they haven't had any concerned customers, but have informed their wait staff of the situation so they are prepared. 

"It's more of a concern for five years from now," Holland said.

"What's the industry look like, and where do things go if we can't have our local suppliers servicing us?"

Both Holland and Carr say they would consider bringing in oysters from off-Island if necessary, though neither has taken that step yet. 

Carr said she put her name on the list of a supplier in New Brunswick last year when there was an oyster shortage. 

"I want to remain an oyster bar," she said. "And that will be a sad day if we lose that."