Two businesses in Nova Scotia are facing charges following a two-year investigation into illegal lobster buying in the southwestern part of the province.
The province’s Department of Natural Resources has charged Independent Fisheries, based in Lockeport, and 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd., located in North West Harbour, under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act. According to a news release from the province, both companies were charged with buying, selling or possessing fish or fish products that were illegally caught, raised or harvested, as well as buying fish or fish products from a person without a valid commercial fishing licence.
3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd. faces an additional charge related to processing, buying, selling, possessing or marketing fish products in the province without the required licence or an exemption under the regulations. The charges were laid on Oct. 2, with pleas scheduled for Nov. 12.
Province Points to Enforcement Efforts
Nova Scotia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith said the charges reflect the work of the conservation officer service in protecting the province’s fisheries and supporting businesses that follow the rules. He added that the province expects continued collaboration with the service as a new fisheries compliance unit prepares to take over fisheries enforcement.
In a separate statement, Independent Fisheries said it “vehemently denies any allegations of wrongdoing.” The company described itself as a major contributor to Nova Scotia’s south shore economy, employing more than 80 people, and said it maintains high standards for quality and food safety. It stated that it follows a due diligence process intended to ensure lobster is sourced in-season from legal licence holders, including requiring proof of origin for every transaction. The company added that it is the responsibility of third-party dealers to verify and accurately represent the source of the lobster they sell.
Scale of Unreported Lobster Landings
The province estimates that up to 30 per cent of annual lobster landings in Atlantic Canada go unreported, a volume it says could represent up to $400 million in taxable income in Nova Scotia.
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