The Canadian government has announced a new voluntary program to buy out oyster harvesters on the country's Atlantic coast who have suffered major financial losses due to the spread of disease.
The commercial sector in the Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick has been devastated by the spread of multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and Dermo, both of which do not harm humans but kill oysters.
"Oysters have been harvested in Atlantic Canada for generations, and the diseases moving through these populations are a serious threat to that,” Canada Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said in the announcement. “I know this is a hard moment for the people who make their living on the water. For harvesters who decide the time is right to permanently retire a license or permit, this program is there to support that decision. It also takes pressure off the wild population while our scientists keep working on the diseases. These are small operations in small communities, and they need a path forward."
Both the provincial and federal governments have moved quickly to address the issue, increasing monitoring, investing in research, and providing financial support. Still, the government said it wants to buy out some oyster harvesters to relieve fishing pressure on depleted wild oyster populations.
Under the Oyster Licence Retirement Grant Program, license holders will receive CAD 40,000 (USD 28,696, EUR 24,860) in exchange for permanently retiring any wild oyster licenses and permits. Once granted a payout, participants will not be allowed to obtain oyster fishing access for ten years.
“Our coastal and fishing communities have faced many challenges in the last few years, and the spread of MSX and Dermo has had a painful impact on the workers who depend on wild oyster harvesting for their livelihoods. This program will help provide a path forward for harvesters during an incredibly difficult period while giving wild oyster stocks the chance to recover,” Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald said in the announcement. “We recognize the uncertainty this has created, and we will continue working to protect the long‑term health of the industry for Atlantic Canadians.”
