Wild oyster fishers in Prince Edward Island are facing a challenging start to the fall season with diminished catches in their usual fishing grounds. The industry’s future is at risk due to the ongoing impact of two diseases, MSX and dermo, which are detrimental to oysters but pose no threat to humans.
Bob MacLeod, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association and an oyster fisher, reported that harvesters in western P.E.I. are experiencing significantly reduced landings because of these diseases. MacLeod mentioned that the situation in western P.E.I. is bleak, with only two to three boxes of oysters caught on a long day, indicating a major decline in productivity.
To mitigate the effects of the diseases, MacLeod and other fishers have shifted their fishing operations to the eastern rivers where disease prevalence is lower this year. However, this move comes with increased costs, as fishers need to work harder and longer hours to compensate for expenses such as gas and accommodation.
The shift of fishers from western P.E.I. to healthier rivers in the east is a trend that MacLeod observed among his peers. While this relocation might help them sustain their income through the winter after a mediocre spring season, MacLeod expressed concerns about the potential overfishing and depletion of oyster stocks in these concentrated areas.
Despite some government assistance initiatives like retraining subsidies and a voluntary licence buyback program, MacLeod highlighted that fishers who wish to continue in the industry are not receiving sufficient support. He emphasized the importance of implementing projects for shell restoration and other endeavors that could generate employment opportunities while allowing oyster beds to recover. MacLeod expressed frustration at the slow progress and lack of concrete actions taken to address the declining health of rivers and the future sustainability of the industry.