Support for oyster industry affected by disease

Press Release

June 15, 2026

GRAND-BOUCTOUCHE – The government has introduced several programs to help oyster producers whose industry has been affected by disease.

While the MSX (multinucleate sphere unknown) and dermo diseases are not a human health or food safety concern, they are causing increased oyster mortalities in some growing areas and creating significant challenges for the industry.

“Oyster producers are facing a very difficult and uncertain situation, but this is an industry that is incredibly important to New Brunswick’s coastal economy, and to many families and communities,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Pat Finnigan. “Our government is taking action now to help stabilize the sector, support workers and producers, and position the industry for long-term recovery and adaptation.”

The government response includes a co-ordinated package of workforce, financial, research and industry stabilization measures delivered in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. These measures include:

· Employee Retention Support Fund: Up to $8 million over three years, through WorkingNB, to help producers retain skilled workers in heavily affected areas while supporting training related to biosecurity and disease response.

· Shellfish Quality Intervention Fund: Up to $3.5 million, administered by Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, to help producers most affected by oyster mortalities with inventory losses, site cleanup and operational costs.

· Business recovery support: Up to $265,000 to provide free individualized financial diagnostic services to help producers assess operational impacts, identify risks and evaluate options for business continuity and adaptation.

· Enhanced disease testing: An additional $250,000 annually to expand oyster disease surveillance and proactively monitor MSX and dermo in oyster-producing bays across New Brunswick.

· Labour Force Adjustment Committee: Established through WorkingNB to co-ordinate workforce retention strategies, improve information-sharing, and connect employers and workers to available support.

· Atlantic collaboration: Participation in the Canadian Atlantic Shellfish Health Network, a collaborative Atlantic Canadian initiative focused on research, surveillance and information-sharing related to MSX and dermo, supported through $100,000 in provincial government funding.

Oyster production generated $35.7 million in farm gate value in 2024 and supports about 650 seasonal jobs in rural, coastal and Indigenous communities across the province.

Finnigan said he recognizes the significant impact MSX and dermo have had on the province’s oyster sector in late 2025 and into 2026, and how challenging the situation is for those affected.

“I want to thank oyster producers, processors and industry partners for the professionalism and collaboration they have shown as we work through this evolving situation,” said Finnigan. “Our department will continue working closely with industry, federal partners and stakeholders as the situation evolves to support the long-term sustainability and resilience of New Brunswick’s oyster sector.”

“At least 26 companies have already been in contact with WorkingNB,” said Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours. “We are committed to helping everyone affected by the disease. This is a difficult time for people in the oyster industry, but there are people and financial resources in place for those who need help.”

Media Contact(s)

Nick Brown, communications, Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, nick.brown@gnb.ca.

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