B.C. oyster recall means mini boom for P.E.I. sellers

P.E.I. oyster merchants say the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's province-wide recall in British Columbia has led to a mini-boom in business.

The CFIA issued a warning Wednesday recalling all B.C. oysters harvested before Aug. 18 that were destined for the raw market.

The Public Health Agency of Canada confirms more than 70 cases of an illness caused by the bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus have been reported in B.C. and Alberta this year. The majority of cases have been linked to eating raw oysters. The bacteria can cause cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

• B.C. oyster recall issued by Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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• Raw oysters lead to 31 cases of sickness: health authority

James Power, manager of Raspberry Point Oysters, says his phone started to ring as soon as the recall was issued.

"One customer normally orders about 30 boxes of oysters a week. Their order last week was 240 boxes. That was the biggest increase we had seen," he said.

"We feel bad for the BC shellfish growers. We're all on the same team in general. But we are happy to help them out and sell a few more oysters."

Some of the larger oyster dealers in the province say they are also receiving lots of requests. While some are able to meet the growing demand, others say they've only got enough oysters for existing customers.

Some sellers are also concerned the recall could taint the public's appetite for oysters no matter where the shellfish originated in Canada.

Power expects the brief increase in business to last a few weeks.

Meanwhile, John Bil, a well-known oyster shucker and merchant who now runs a restaurant and seafood counter called the Honest Weight in Toronto, is questioning why the CFIA didn't take a more nuanced approach as it has with shellfish closures on P.E.I.

Bil doesn't believe all B.C. oysters are contaminated with Vibrio.

"When you say all B.C. oysters are bad, like they're not saying the same thing in Washington State, and the border between Washington State and B.C. is just arbitrary, right? I mean, it's the same water," said Bil.

"For whatever reason, CFIA in B.C., whether it's because they're responding to political pressure, or, you know, media pressure or whatever, they've just said every oyster in B.C. is no good and that's not really the case."

Bil says oysters grown in deeper waters are usually not contaminated with Vibrio and testing can show that.

The CFIA has not responded to CBC News's request for an explanation of the province-wide ban.