Province boosts support for oyster growers and processors with $9.2 million investment

The Government of Prince Edward Island is announcing two new programs to deliver short-term relief for the province’s oyster growers and processing sectors in response to industry challenges caused by oyster diseases in the region.

The Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program offers interim support to eligible oyster growers who have experienced significant income losses due to oyster disease. The program is designed to:

• Provide targeted aid to those hit hardest by unexpected drops in earnings.
• Help oyster growers manage immediate costs so they can maintain operations.
• Support growers through this challenging period as they plan for their future.

The Oyster Processors Inventory Mitigation Program provides interim financial support to oyster processors who purchase and hold oysters from fishers and growers. This support helps reduce financial risk if the product does not reach market. The goals of the program are to:

• Offset undue financial exposure for processors holding inventory.
• Encourage continued purchasing from oyster fishers and growers.
• Provide targeted, interim support to limit disruptions in the oyster supply chain.

“Our Island’s oyster industry is facing unprecedented challenges with the emergence of MSX and Dermo. These programs are designed to provide short-term relief to help oyster growers and processors manage immediate impacts during this period of uncertainty.”

— Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Zack Bell

Together, these programs provide about $9.2 million in provincial funding and build on a broader suite of supports the province continues to deliver to the oyster sector.

“While these programs are being offered by the provincial government and provide much needed support for those impacted in the short-term, we are also committed to working with the Government of Canada, through ACOA, to provide support that advances innovation, long-term planning, and the development of a science-based roadmap to address MSX impacts, while also supporting joint work to future-proof the industry,” Minister Bell added.

To date, the provincial government has invested over $12 million in total to support the Island’s oyster industry in response to the discovery of MSX and Dermo. This includes surveillance and monitoring programs, diagnostic testing, nursery equipment, industry-led adaptation and mitigation projects, and subsidies for reskilling and wages.

Prince Edward Island is a cornerstone of the Canadian shellfish industry, as the largest oyster producer in Eastern Canada, and the second-largest oyster producer in Canada. In 2024, combined landed value of oysters from both commercial fishery and aquaculture operations in PEI exceeded $27 million, translating to an estimated $54 million in total economic value to PEI. 

There are an estimated 250 active oyster fishers, 300 oyster growers, and 18 oyster processors in Prince Edward Island.

The programs will be open for submissions January 5, 2026. Program guidelines and applications will be available at: Supports for Prince Edward Island Oyster Industry.

Media contact:
Marla Morrison
Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture
marlamorrison@gov.pe.ca

Backgrounder: 

Oyster Growers Income Stabilization Program

The 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. 

The program will provide a grant based on the applicant’s revenue losses for the current tax year, compared to the previous five years of revenue. Eligible revenue losses include oyster sales from aquaculture production, oyster seed sales, and related oyster aquaculture revenue. 

Applicants will be required to:

• Provide five years of financial information
• Provide lease and/or license information
• Fully complete the application form

Applications will be open January 5, 2026

Oyster Processors Inventory Mitigation Program

This program provides a grant to help reduce and offset financial risks for oyster processors purchasing and holding oysters prior to selling to markets. This will help minimize disruptions when buying oysters from growers and fishers by lowering the financial impacts because of oyster diseases. 

Applicants will be required to provide to:

• Provide oyster purchase information
• Provide oyster sales information
• Fully complete the application form

Applications will be open January 5, 2026

Approved provincial funding to date: