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Charges Laid in Lobster Buying Investigation
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Two Nova Scotia businesses have been charged following a two-year investigation into illegal lobster buying in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Independent Fisheries in Lockeport and 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd. in North West Harbour, Shelburne County, both face charges under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act. Conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources laid the charges.
“The laying of these charges demonstrates the important work that the conservation officer service does to help protect Nova Scotia’s fisheries and support people and businesses that follow the rules. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with the service as our new fisheries compliance unit prepares to take the lead for fisheries enforcement going forward,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith.
Independent Fisheries is charged with two offences: buying, selling or possessing fish or fish products that were illegally caught, raised or harvested, and buying fish or fish products from a person who did not have a valid commercial fishing licence.
3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd. faces those same two charges and an additional charge for processing, buying, selling, possessing or marketing fish products in Nova Scotia without the required licence or an exemption under the regulations.
The investigation is continuing, and more charges may be laid. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
It is estimated that up to 30 per cent of annual lobster landings in Atlantic Canada are not reported. This could represent up to $400 million in taxable income that is not reported in Nova Scotia.
Quotes:
“Nova Scotia’s conservation officers do vital work protecting our natural resources, supporting public safety and standing up for the law-abiding harvesters and businesses that depend on a fair, sustainable fishery. The recent charges they laid show that illegal activity will be taken seriously and that our officers are committed to protecting the integrity of the legal fishery and the coastal communities it supports.”
— Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources
Quick Facts:
- charges were filed with the court on October 2, and pleas are scheduled for November 12
- the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture created a new compliance unit that will be leading enforcement of fish buying and processing; Natural Resources will support the unit in addressing illegal fisheries activities
- in 2024, the Province increased the maximum fine under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act to $1 million from $100,000 for a first offence and up to $2 million for a second offence
- the Province introduced new licence conditions requiring buyers to provide more detailed information to support compliance and enforcement and is also looking at better ways to trace lobster and snow crab, Nova Scotia’s most valuable seafood species
Additional Resources:
Anyone who suspects illegal fish buying or processing is asked to report it by emailing DFAcomplaints@novascotia.ca or by calling 1-800-565-2224
Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act: https://novascotia.ca/fish/laws-and-regulations/
News release – New Compliance Unit to Combat Illegal Seafood Sector Activities: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/11/17/new-compliance-unit-combat-illegal-seafood-sector-activities
Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy 2026-2029: https://novascotia.ca/seafood-sector-strategy/
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