Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program
Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program
The Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program is designed to provide financial stability to eligible oyster growers who experience significant revenue declines due to the unforeseen, uncontrollable factors associated with MSX and/or Dermo, or market disruptions due to the arrival of MSX and Dermo in PEI. The goal of the program is to provide a financial safety net to eligible oyster growers when their current year’s aquaculture operation revenue falls below a defined historical average to support growers through this challenging period as they plan for their future.
We are no longer accepting submissions and are currently reviewing all applications. Updates will be shared directly with applicants. If you have any questions, please contact our support team via email oystersupports@gov.pe.ca
What does this program cover?
The program covers oyster aquaculture-related revenue losses greater than 30% in 2025 as a result of MSX and/or Dermo.
Who qualifies?
To participate in the Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program, an applicant must be:
- Able to provide documentation demonstrating greater than 30% loss of aquaculture-related revenue in 2025 as a result of MSX and/or Dermo;
- Able to provide documentation of up to five consecutive years of oyster growing activity in PEI including production records and tax documents;
- A minimum of 18 years of age;
- A registered PEI company or a self-employed individual who grows oysters for financial gain;
- Holding a valid DFO issued lease or license number, a water lot, operate an oyster nursery, or have a notarized, legal sublet or rental agreement to grow oysters for financial gain;
- In good standing with applicable federal, provincial, and municipal legislation; and
- Not in default of any provincial government program obligations.
Eligible oyster aquaculture-related revenue losses include losses related to oyster sales from aquaculture production, oyster seed sales, and related oyster aquaculture revenue as a result of MSX and Dermo.
How do I participate?
Refer to the links below to help with your application process.
Register as a Government Vendor
Questions and Answers
How are the payments calculated?
Payments will be issued where a decline in your 2025 revenue is greater than 30% of your historical oyster aquaculture-related revenue that you report to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Payments are based on the five-year Olympic average of oyster aquaculture-related revenue from your aquaculture operation. The Olympic average takes your previous five years of oyster aquaculture-related revenue (e.g., sales) and removes the single highest and lowest years. The average of the remaining three years establishes the Olympic average.
The program will cover 90% of your revenue decline that is beyond 30% of revenue losses. If you have an Olympic average of $100,000, the starting trigger for payment would be a decline in revenue at $70,000 or less. If you had oyster aquaculture–related revenue of $20,000 in 2025, your revenue decline would be $50,000, and your payment would be calculated at 90% of $50,000. Your 2025 payment would then be $45,000. For example:
| Olympic Average Revenue (OA) | $100,000 |
| Payment Trigger (OA x 70%) | $70,000 |
| LESS: Program Year Revenue (2025) | $20,000 |
| EQUALS: Revenue Decline (RD) | $50,000 |
| Program Payment (RD x 90%) | $45,000 |
When will I get a payment?
Applications will be assessed once all required documents have been received from the applicant. If you are eligible, you may receive up to 50% of the funds based on estimated oyster aquaculture revenue losses. This first payment will be made after your application has been reviewed and approved. The remaining funds will be paid once your 2025 business income tax return has been filed and assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency, and you have provided a copy of the tax return and notice of assessment to the Department.
What if I do not have five years of income information?
You should submit the years of information you have available and the Department may contact you for additional information, if required, to assess your eligibility based on special circumstances.
I recently expanded my oyster aquaculture operation but have not seen an increase in revenue yet. How will the program account for this?
You will be asked to submit documentation that demonstrates the expansion of your oyster aquaculture operation, for example, confirmation of a lease reconfiguration, proof of purchase (e.g., receipt, paid invoice) of new lease(s) or added gear, etc. The Department may contact you for additional information, if required.
What information do I need to submit?
A checklist was developed to help applicants ensure all relevant and accurate information is provided.
How do I submit my application?
We are no longer accepting submissions and are currently reviewing all applications. Updates will be shared directly with applicants. If you have any questions, please contact our support team via email oystersupports@gov.pe.ca
Contact
For more information contact:
PEI Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Email: oystersupports@gov.pe.ca
Website: Supports for Prince Edward Island Oyster Industry