Current status: Open
This consultation is open from September 19, 2025, to November 18, 2025.
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:
- New addition to SSL: 4 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.
- Complete removal from the SSL: 16 aquatic animal species to be removed from the SSL as they are not considered susceptible to any diseases of concern.
- Changes to susceptibility profile: 4 aquatic animal species to have their susceptibly profile changed for P. marinus or P. olseni and these species are already listed as susceptible to other diseases of concern.
- Changes to taxonomic names: Taxonomic names of 6 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
In 2022 and 2023, disease experts from the WOAH reviewed scientific evidence to assess which aquatic animal species are susceptible to Perkinsus marinus and Perkinsus olseni (WOAH assessment). Based on this evaluation, the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission of WOAH proposed updates to the list of susceptible species for P. marinus in February 2023. Member countries were invited to provide feedback through 2 rounds of consultation, and the changes were officially adopted in May 2024.
Similarly, proposed updates to the list of species susceptible to P. olseni were released in February 2024, followed by 2 rounds of member country comments. These changes were adopted in May 2025.
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 changes and supports the updated lists.
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 changes.
Proposed changes to the susceptible species of aquatic animals list
Susceptible species for Perkinsus marinus
| New addition to SSL | |
|---|---|
| Saccostrea palmula | Species to be added to the SSL |
| Complete removal from SSL | |
| Crassostrea rhizophorae | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Macoma balthica | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Mercenaria mercenaria | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Mya arenaria | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Changes to disease susceptibility profile | |
| Crassostrea gigas | Species to be removed as susceptible to P. marinus |
Susceptible species for Perkinsus olseni
| New addition to SSL | |
|---|---|
| Anadara kagoshimensis | Species to be added to the SSL |
| Haliotis iris | Species to be added to the SSL |
| Protapes gallus | Species to be added to the SSL |
| Complete removal from SSL | |
| Barbatia novaezealandiae | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Chama pacifica | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Crassostrea hongkongensis | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Haliotis cyclobates | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Haliotis scalaris | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Katelysia rhytiphora | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Macomona liliana | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Paphies australis | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Pinctada margaritifera | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Tridacna maxima | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Venerupis aurea | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Venerupis pullastra | Species to be removed from SSL |
| Changes to disease susceptibility profile | |
| Crassostrea ariakensis | Species to be removed as susceptible to P. olseni |
| Crassostrea gigas | Species to be removed as susceptible to P. olseni |
| Crassostrea virginica | Species to be removed as susceptible to P. olseni |
| Mytilus galloprovincialis | Species to be listed as susceptible to P. olseni |
In summary:
- 4 species will be newly added to the SSL (Saccostrea palmula, Anadara kagoshimensis, Protapes gallus, Haliotis iris),
- 16 species will be removed from the SSL (Crassostrea rhizophorae, Macoma balthica, Mercenaria mercenaria, Mya arenaria, Barbatia novaezealandiae, Chama pacifica, Crassostrea hongkongensis, Haliotis cyclobates, Haliotis scalaris, Katelysia rhytiphora, Macomona liliana, Paphies australis, Pinctada margaritifera, Tridacna maxima, Venerupis aurea , Venerupis pullastra) and,
- 4 species will have their disease profiles changed (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Crassostrea ariakensis, Crassostrea gigas, Crassostrea virginica).
Additionally, 6 species will have their taxonomic names changed:
- Crassostrea ariakensis has changed to Magallana ariakensis,
- Paphia undulata has changed to Paratapes undulatus,
- Pitar rostratus has changed to Proteopitar patagonicus,
- Protothaca jedoensis has changed to Leukoma jedoensis,
- Venerupis decussatus has changed to Ruditapes decussatus,
- Venerupis philippinarum has changed to Ruditapes philippinarum.
Who is the focus of this consultation
Aquatic animal stakeholders, including:
- mussel, clam and oyster importers
- oyster and clam famers
- Indigenous Peoples
- mussel, clam and oyster researchers and laboratories
- industry associations
- other federal and provincial government departments
- international trading partners and organizations
All comments are welcome 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 P. marinus and P. olseni" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by November 18 2025, which is approximately 60 days from the date of this posting.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the SSL change. If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information. A What We Heard Report that summarizes the feedback received will be published.
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