Important to maintain PEI oyster quality
Canada: The Prince Edward Island minister for fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture is concerned for the province's oyster reputation. Minister Allan Campbell has called a meeting with local oyster harvesters and dealers to discuss recent reports about the quality of oyster products from the province.
According to an article in the PEI newspaper The Guardian, Mr. Campbell expressed that it is a major priority to maintain and strengthen the excellent reputation the province's oysters have in the international market place.
Based on some recent reports, both local and national, certain questions have been raised related to the size and shape of some oysters originating in PEI.
It is important to maintain an untarnished reputation for this industry which is very important to PEI. Landed value of PEI oyster industry is reported to be about CAD 7.0 million. There are about 700 active oyster harvesters. Between 20 and 30 per cent of the total landings comes from aquaculture leases.
Minister Campbell will be meeting with both industry and representatives for the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). His goal is to ascertain what steps needs to be taken to maintain the industry's reputation. It is a reputation that has been built over many years.
