Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – September 8, 2025 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is sharing information with commercial oyster harvesters regarding the confirmed presence of two oyster diseases in New Brunswick: Multinucleate Sphere Unknown (MSX) and Dermo (also known as Perkinsosis).
MSX and Dermo do not pose risks to human health or food safety; however, they can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates.
On September 2, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) declared New Brunswick as an area where MSX and Dermo are known or highly likely to occur and is now part of the Designated Infected Area (DIA): Multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and perkinsosis (Dermo) in oysters.
Although a CFIA permit is no longer required to harvest oysters within the DIA, oyster movements are still subject to section 56 of the Fisheries (General) Regulations and may require an Introduction and Transfer licence for transfers or release of oysters back into the water or in a fish-rearing facility. For more information on Introduction and Transfer Licences, please email: DFO.MARNBITC-NBCITMAR.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Oyster movements outside of the Designated Infected Area
The DIA includes the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. Movement of oysters outside of the DIA may be subject to the Domestic Movement Control Program with CFIA. For more information, please visit: Aquatic animal domestic movements.
Reporting Oyster Mortalities to CFIA
To help prevent the spread of aquatic animal diseases, oyster mortalities must be reported to the CFIA. This requirement is established under the Health of Animals Act. Reports should be directed to your nearest CFIA Animal Health Office by telephone at 1-506-851-7654.