From July to October 2024, we confirmed the presence of multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) caused by Haplosporidium nelsoni in many locations on Prince Edward Island (PEI). Perkinsus marinus, which causes Dermo disease in oysters has not been detected in PEI.
As of February 7, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is declared an area where MSX is known or is highly likely to occur. Scientific evidence has shown that MSX is already present or highly likely to be present in most marine waterways across PEI.
In October 2002, MSX was confirmed in the Bras d'Or Lakes, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Within the Atlantic Provinces, there are currently 2 declared infected areas for MSX: PEI and Cape Breton East, Nova Scotia (NS).
On this page
- Map of the declared area
- CFIA permits under the DMCP
- Application forms
- Other movement controls/permits for PEI
- Contact us
- Related links
Map of the declared areas for MSX within the Atlantic provinces
Movement controls for MSX in PEI are now made through the aquatic animal Domestic Movement Control Program (DMCP). The previous primary control zones (PCZs) for MSX in PEI have been revoked.
Description of map
A map of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia showing the boundaries of the declared infected areas for multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX), which includes Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton East, Nova Scotia.
CFIA permits under the DMCP
Moving to the DMCP for MSX simplifies the CFIA permitting process for oyster growers, harvesters and processors within a declared infected area. For declared infected areas, CFIA permits will no longer be required for movement of oysters or gear within the declared infected area.
You must get a CFIA DMCP permit before moving oysters out of a declared infected area (such as PEI or Cape Breton East, NS).
More information is available on the Aquatic animal domestic movements page.
Application forms
Follow these steps to apply for a domestic movement permit:
- Before completing the application:
- review the declarations of reportable disease status
- contact the CFIA Area Office or our support line to ensure that a permit is required for the aquatic animal or thing to be moved
- review additional information, including the permit conditions, in the industry guidance documents for laboratories, researchers, finfish culturists and mollusc culturists
- Complete the following application to move molluscs or declared things:
- Submit the application
- send the completed application by email, fax or regular mail to our National Centre of Permissions (contact information is on the application form)
Sign up for email notifications to receive important updates on this program.
PEI oysters that have been grown to commercial size and processed for human consumption can still be exported and sold from PEI. However, oysters which are not ready for the commercial market are not permitted to be moved off PEI for growing purposes.
Under the DMCP, we declare zones to control domestic movement of oysters. This helps prevent the spread of regionally endemic reportable aquatic animal diseases. Areas are declared as:
- infected areas, where the reportable disease is known or highly likely to occur
- buffer areas, where the reportable disease may occur because of a link to a declared infected area (this protects free areas and the buffer areas)
- free areas, where the reportable disease does not occur
Other movement controls/permits for declared infected areas
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to regulate oyster movements within each province through the Introductions and Transfer (I&T) Licensing Program, in collaboration with the Provincial Authority and, when appropriate, in consultation with the CFIA. This helps protect areas in where MSX and Dermo haven't been detected and to help manage the prevalence of MSX and Dermo in waters where they have already been detected.
For questions related to the Introductions and Transfers Licensing Program, contact the DFO Introductions and Transfers Committee for your province.
Contact us
For any questions, please contact our support team.
- By phone: 1-902-370-1368
- By email: cfia.AtlanticAHLiaisonOfficer-OfficierdeliaisonSAAtlantique.acia@inspection.gc.ca