We combine cutting-edge IoT sensors with advanced machine learning algorithms to address the most critical challenges facing modern aquaculture operations.
We combine cutting-edge IoT sensors with advanced machine learning algorithms to address the most critical challenges facing modern aquaculture operations.
The Canadian government has announced more than CAD $850,000 in funding to support scientific research on multinucleate sphere unknown X (MSX) disease, a serious threat to the country's Atlantic oyster industry that has spread to new regions in 2024. Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier announced that six recipients will share the funding to advance research on rapid detection methods and disease resistance strategies for the parasitic infection affecting oyster populations across Atlantic Canada.
The British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association has responded positively to the ministerial changes, expressing particular enthusiasm about the potential for policy reversals. The organization is advocating for the new government to work collaboratively with First Nations rights holders and reconsider the controversial decision to eliminate marine net-pen operations by 2029. According to industry representatives, Thompson's appointment signals a possible departure from policies that have created uncertainty within the sector. The salmon farming industry in British Columbia has experienced a significant 45% reduction in production levels under previous government policies, highlighting the economic impact of regulatory decisions on the sector.
The funding announcement comes as MSX disease has expanded its geographic reach significantly. While MSX was first detected in Canada in 2002 in Bras d'Or Lake, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the disease was discovered in Prince Edward Island waters in July 2024, followed by detection in New Brunswick sites in November 2024. The disease is caused by the parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni, and while the oysters it affects are still consumable, it can cause higher mortality and slower growth. Industry officials report that potential oyster mortalities in excess of 90 percent have been recorded in some instances. By supporting this important research on MSX, the Government of Canada is investing in the future of our oyster industry, as well as the livelihoods of the Canadians who depend on them - said Minister Lebouthillier. Together, we are advancing scientific knowledge that will strengthen our ability to protect the health and sustainability of our marine ecosystems and ensure the resilience of coastal communities. The minister emphasized that Prince Edward Island has long been known for its delicious and fresh quality oysters. The recent detection of MSX in oysters in PEI reminds us how much remains to be learned about the disease. While there are no risks from a food safety perspective, we need to better understand how MSX is spread among shellfish and how it can be prevented in the future. The funding will be distributed among six recipients: New Brunswick Research and Productivity Council, Dalhousie University, Université Laval, Tethys Aquaculture Canada Inc. PEI Aquaculture Alliance, and Atlantic Aqua Farms Ltd. According to a release from the department, the funding will cover rapid detection of the disease and disease resistance in oysters. Key areas for further research identified during a summit included learning more about genetic markers or traits that could promote resistance to MSX, rapid detection methodologies, and the need to learn more about the experience in other jurisdictions dealing with MSX. The oyster industry has been proactively responding to the crisis. The PEI Shellfish Alliance announced funding for a nursery that can grow MSX-resistant oyster seeds, and Prince Edward Island Seafood Processors Association Executive Director Bob Creed told SeafoodSource the industry is already working with other areas that have faced MSX before.
The funding announcement follows a Science Summit co-chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island in November 2024, which identified critical research gaps and priorities for addressing the MSX crisis. Canada's National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), co-delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is responsible for preventing the introduction and/or spread of significant aquatic animal diseases of finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. The government's investment represents a critical step in protecting one of Atlantic Canada's most important aquaculture sectors, with the research expected to provide essential tools for disease management and industry resilience in the face of this expanding threat.