Developing early warning system to detect MSX oyster parasites

From Genome Atlantic & Springboard Content Lab

An industry-research collaboration in Atlantic Canada is developing an early warning tool to detect the deadly MSX and Dermo parasites in the Canadian oyster fishery.

The project, funded by Genome Canada and supported by Genome Atlantic, will generate data to understand and predict transmission rates and distribution in areas where the parasites are found.

MSX parasite threatens oyster fishery

Parasites pose an existential risk to Canadian fishing industries because they are causing mortalities in oyster populations in the region. Early, rapid and comprehensive detection is key to managing outbreaks of the diseases they cause.

This project will use environmental DNA research to help the shellfish industry bolster its defenses against the two major parasitic threats. Environmental DNA (eDNA)/RNA (eRNA) is the genetic material organisms leave behind in their environment, including in water, soil and air.

The Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) parasite devasted the Bras d’Or Lake (Cape Breton) oyster industry 22 years ago and has caused significant oyster mortalities in some areas of Prince Edward Island since its detection in early July of 2024. It has since been confirmed in New Brunswick in November 2024.

Another parasite, Perkinsus marinus (dermo), has caused significant mortality in some regions up the eastern seaboard and has now been detected at some locations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The work is collaborative and involves Springboard member institution Cape Breton University, research centres and industry partners working together to solve the parasite problem:

Genome Atlantic investing in eDNA research

Genome Atlantic is delivering $1.38M to three innovative projects announced today by Genome Canada as part of its eDNA Surveillance Initiative.  Each of these projects will provide smarter environmental protection while helping industries operate more sustainably:

• A $380,000 collaboration with Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (the first Indigenous-owned and operated water utility in Canada) and Dalhousie University aims to help First-Nations identify and advance community priorities at the intersection of water stewardship and health. READ MORE 

• The $200,000 Port Baseline Biodiversity Project, in partnership with New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, will use environmental DNA to provide vital baseline biodiversity information to help ports with ongoing environmental monitoring.  READ MORE

The twelve projects in total announced under the new Genome Canada initiative will build Canada’s eDNA surveillance capacity across regions, enabling more effective monitoring and decision-making to tackle major threats to our health, environment and industries.

eDNA surveillance provides a non-invasive method to assess the health of a particular ecosystem or community. It provides the data needed for fast, evidence-based public policy and decision-making, helping us monitor for biodiversity loss, track disease-causing pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, and supporting forensic scientific investigation.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians saw these surveillance tools in action, monitoring wastewater for levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in communities. Genome Canada is investing in these new projects to build capacity for future pandemic preparedness, ongoing public health monitoring and stronger environmental protection for our country.”

Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada.

The eDNA Surveillance program projects will drive:

• Uptake of eDNA surveillance across Canada.
• Partnership-based projects with Indigenous communities to help ensure eDNA advances community needs.
• New mechanisms for collaboration to strengthen data standards, best practices and alignment across Canadian and international stakeholders, increasing the benefits of scientific innovation for us all.

The total value of this announcement is $11.3M, including $4.3M in Government of Canada funding (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada through the Strategic Science Fund) through Genome Canada and $7M in co-funding.