Current status: Open
This consultation is open from March 2, 2026, to May 1, 2026.
About the consultation
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking comments on the following changes to the Susceptible species of aquatic animals list (SSL). The changes fall into four categories :
- 1. New addition to SSL: Seven aquatic animal species to be added to the SSL as they are now assessed as susceptible to disease(s) but were not previously considered susceptible to any disease of concern
- 2. Complete removal from the SSL: Five aquatic animal species to be removed from the SSL as they are not considered susceptible to any diseases of concern
- 3. Changes to susceptibility profile: Five aquatic animal species to have their susceptibly profile changed for and these species are already listed as susceptible to other diseases of concern
- 4. Changes to taxonomic names: Taxonomic name of two species to be changed to align with international nomenclature
Background
Aquatic animal diseases can significantly affect Canada's wild and farmed aquatic animal populations, with serious consequences for the economy and international trade. To reduce these risks, the CFIA administers import controls and domestic disease control programs for finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. Scientific understanding of which aquatic animal species are susceptible to specific diseases continues to evolve, requiring ongoing review and adaptation of disease control measures.
As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada must align its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures with international standards, unless there is risk assessment to justify stricter controls. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is recognized under the WTO's SPS Agreement as the international authority for animal health standards, including those related to aquatic animal species. The WOAH updates its Aquatic Animal Health Code annually, including revisions to the list of susceptible species, based on expert reviews of scientific data. Member countries, including Canada, can provide feedback before changes are adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates at WOAH annual general meeting.
The SSL was incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Health of Animals Regulations in 2021 to allow for modification of the list in a timely manner. Consultation for this change can be found in the Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 155, Number 7: Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations.
Our Incorporation by Reference Policy requires that a consultation be conducted before changes to IBR documents are made. Refer to the Incorporation by Reference Inventory for additional documents incorporated by reference in regulations that CFIA administers.
About the proposed changes
CFIA is proposing changes to seven diseases of molluscs:
- Abalone viral mortality (Abalone herpes-like virus)
- Bonamia exitiosa
- Bonamia ostreae
- Haplosporidium nelsoni
- Marteilia refringens
- Mikrocytos mackini
- Withering syndrome of abalone (Xenohaliotis californiensis)
In 2020, disease experts from the WOAH reviewed scientific evidence to assess which aquatic animal species are susceptible to Bonamia exitiosa and Bonamia ostrea. In 2021 WOAH reviewed Abalone viral mortality and Marteilia refringens and in 2024 WOAH reviewed Xenohaliotis califoriensis (WOAH assessment). Member countries were invited to provide feedback through two rounds of consultation for each disease. Based on this evaluation, the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission of WOAH proposed updates to the list of susceptible species.
The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada and WOAH delegate conducted internal and external consultations in Canada during each WOAH comment period. All feedback was reviewed and summarized to WOAH for consideration.
In addition, the CFIA carried out its own scientific evaluation of the proposed WOAH changes and supports the updated lists. CFIA also reviewed the two non-WOAH listed diseases Haplosporidium nelsoni and Mikrocytos mackini. CFIA applies WOAH's criteria for susceptibility in Chapter 1.5 of the Aquatic code and found two species meet the criteria for listing as susceptible.
These proposed changes are generally going to have positive impacts on importers of aquatic animals and seafood, with minimal financial and administrative burden.
For this consultation, we are specifically seeking comments on changes to the SSL and the requirements for import permits for the import of the proposed species additions.
Proposed changes to the susceptible species of aquatic animals list
Susceptible species for Abalone viral mortality (Abalone herpes-like virus)
Complete removal from SSL
- Haliotis discus hannai
Susceptible species for Bonamia exitiosa
New addition to SSL
- Ostrea equestris
- Ostrea lurida
Complete removal from SSL
- Saccostrea glomerata
Changes to disease susceptibility profile
- Magallana ariakensis
- Crassostrea gigas
- Ostrea puelchana
Susceptible species for Bonamia ostreae
Complete removal from SSL
- Ostrea lutaria
Susceptible species for Haplosporidium nelsoni
New addition to SSL
- Mizuhopecten yessoensis
Susceptible species for Marteilia refringens
New addition to SSL
- Ostrea stentina
- Xenostrobus securis
Complete removal from SSL
- Ostrea denselamellosa
Changes to disease susceptibility profile
- Ostrea angasi
- Ostrea chilensis
- Ostrea puelchana
Susceptible species for Mikrocytos mackini
New addition to SSL
- Magallana sikamea
Susceptible species for Withering syndrome of abalone (Xenohaliotis californiensis)
New addition to SSL
- Haliotis discus discus
Complete removal from SSL
- Haliotis discus hannai
- Haliotis wallalensis
In summary:
- seven species will be newly added to the SSL (Ostrea equestris, Ostrea lurida, Ostrea stentina, Crassostrea sikamea, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, Xenostrobus secures and Haliotis discus discus)
- five species will be removed from the SSL (Saccostrea glomerata, Ostrea lutaria, Haliotis discus hannai, \Ostrea denselamellosa, and Haliotis wallalensis)
- five species will have their disease profiles changed (Crassostrea ariakensis, Crassostrea gigas, Otreae angasi, Ostrea chilensis and Ostrea puelchana)
Additionally, two species will have their taxonomic names changed:
- Crassostrea gigas has changed to Magallana gigas
- Solen marginatus has changed to Solen capensis
Who was the focus of this consultation
Aquatic animal stakeholders, including:
- mussel, clam, abalone and oyster importers
- oyster and clam famers
- Indigenous Peoples
- mussel, clam, abalone and oyster researchers and laboratories
- industry associations
- other federal and provincial government departments
- international trading partners and organizations
All comments were welcomed from the public, industry, governments and other organizations.
How to participate
We are inviting feedback on the proposed amendments to the SSL.
Interested parties are encouraged to share comments if there is:
- any concern about the accuracy of the change
- any new scientific information that should be considered before amending the SSL
- any significant impact that has not been considered
This feedback will be valuable in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the proposed change.
Comments can be sent by email to SSL-LEV@inspection.gc.ca. Please use "SSL change- molluscs" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by May 1, 2026, which is approximately 60 days from the date of this posting.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information. A What We Heard Report that summarizes the feedback received will be published. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the SSL change.
Related information
- Health of Animals Regulations
- Health of Animals Act
- CFIA Fish List
- Susceptible species of aquatic animals
- CFIA Incorporation by Reference Policy
Contact us
Aquatics Section
Animal Import/Export Division
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1400 Merivale Road, T1
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0Y9
Telephone: 1-855-212-7695
Email: SSL-LEV@inspection.gc.ca