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This article was written by Brittany Spencer and originally published by CBC News on Nov 19, 2025 6:00 AM AST. We are sharing the full text here for reference. All rights remain with the original publisher. 

Programs will be designed to meet specific needs of fishers, growers and processors

P.E.I.’s fisheries minister says help is coming for the province’s oyster industry as it struggles against a dual disease threat — and he said that financial support will happen with or without the federal government.

The MSX parasite was first detected in P.E.I. waters in the summer of 2024. Another disease, dermo, was found earlier this year.

Neither is harmful to humans, but can be deadly to oysters — many of which are dying off while Island companies are waiting to sell them.

Bell said his department is very close to releasing details of support programs geared toward the needs of three different sectors of P.E.I.’s oyster industry: fishers, growers and processors.

“They’re all being affected differently,” Bell told reporters outside the legislative chamber.

“We’ve been working very hard with industry to try to make sure that what we are going to be providing is going to be tailored, that it will hopefully support them.”

‘Processors are taking all the risk’

Bell said his department plans to bring forward a support program for oyster fishermen in partnership with P.E.I.’s Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population that focuses on “reskilling and uptraining” as well as providing wage subsidies.

He said after speaking with fishers it’s become clear that the biggest challenges will come next year.

“We’ve heard that many will hopefully get their catches or their oysters this year, but our real fear from them is going to be in the spring.”

When it comes to oyster growers, the industry has seen huge rates of mortality leading to massive losses, said Bell. The department plans to introduce a grant funding program for growers to “help them try to get through this period of tougher time.”

Oyster processors have their own unique set of challenges, with some putting a stop or limit on purchasing oysters because of the diseases, he said. In response, the province will introduce a risk-mitigation program in the form of bridge funding to offset the cost of oysters that die from the diseases after processors purchase them.

“The processors are taking all the risk,” Bell said. “Especially knowing there’s a chance the oysters might die.”

Bell told CBC News he’s reached out to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada and P.E.I.’s four MPs seeking federal support for the programs.

While discussions with his federal counterparts have gone well, he said, P.E.I. will move forward with the programs or without their help.

“We will go ahead if we don’t have support from the federal government. But, like I said, I am very hopeful…. They understand how important the industry is to P.E.I.,” he said. “So I do think that the federal government will come to the table.”

Bell estimates the cost of all the programs will be more than $10 million. He didn’t say exactly when the programs would roll out, but hopes to have an update soon.

Source: CBC News. Original article available here.