Two Nova Scotia seafood firms face fisheries charges

Two businesses face charges under Nova Scotia’s Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act after a two-year investigation into illegal lobster buying in southwestern Nova Scotia.

• Independent Fisheries, in Lockeport, faces two charges related to buying fish from illegal catches and from people without valid commercial fishing licences.
• 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd., in North West Harbour, faces the same two charges, plus a charge related to handling or selling fish products without a required licence or exemption.
• Charges were filed October 2, and pleas are scheduled for November 12. The year was not stated in the release.

The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court. The province says its new fisheries compliance unit will lead enforcement of fish buying and processing. It also reports that maximum fines were raised in 2024 to $1 million for a first offence and up to $2 million for a second offence.