Anyone who buys fish, fishery products or fishery resources from fishermen in Nova Scotia, including a person buying lobster for the purpose of re-sale in a retail outlet owned by that person.

A licence is not necessary for those who:

1. buy less than 25 kg of fish or fish products per calendar day for personal consumption only.
2. buy fish or fish products, excluding lobster, for resale in a retail outlet, including restaurants owned by that person.
3. as a non-profit organization, buy for trade.
4. buy fish or fish products from an existing licence holder.

Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries Representatives
(see Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture: Regional Offices )

OR

Website - http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/licensing/

OR

Registrar Fisheries Licensing
Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
Bank of Montreal Building
5151 George Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1M5

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2223
Halifax, NS B3J 3C4

Tel: (902) 424-4560
Fax: (902) 424-3948

E-mail Address: gayam@gov.ns.ca

An application form can be downloaded from the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Website. It can also be obtained from the local N.S. Fisheries Representative or the Fisheries Licensing Division.

The completed application is returned to the Registrar, accompanied by a $213.00 non-refundable administration fee (made payable to the Minister of Finance). The Registrar will send confirmation of the receipt of a completed application.

A favourable recommendation by the Division will result in a Letter of Intent being mailed to the applicant, outlining all terms and conditions that must be met prior to the actual licence being issued. A copy of this letter is also sent to other agencies involved with the process.

For more information, contact Audrey Gay, Registrar Fisheries Licensing (902) 424-0340 (E-mail address: gayam@gov.ns.ca).

Within 21 days of reviewing all information in relation to the application, provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received.

Initial Application: $213 (non-refundable)

Annual Licence: Calculated by species group and not by the number of species within that group.

1. Groundfish: $426.00
   
2. Pelagic: $106.50
   
3. Shellfish: $213.00
   
4. Other: $106.50
   
5. Aquaculture Products: $106.50

This licence is valid for the period January 1 to December 31 of a given calendar year.

The licence holder will receive, prior to December 31, an Application for Renewal form. Within 30 days of December 31, this licence must be renewed.

To renew the licence for the following calendar year, the Application for Renewal must be returned, signed and accompanied by the Annual Licence fee. Failure to renew the licence within the 30 day renewal period will result in the licence being cancelled.

1. Registration with Registry of Joint Stock Companies
2. Compliance with the Guidelines for the Development of a Live Lobster Facilities Protocol
   
3. Approval from Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
4. Provision of Canada Revenue Agency Business Number, if applicable
5. Proof of ownership of lobster holding facility
6. Provision of appropriate shareholding information
7. Compliance with relevant municipal by-laws

Buyers licences are not assignable or transferable to other persons, except if the licence is being transferred to a corporation in which the licence holder owns the majority of voting shares. At the end of each calendar year, the Minister will review the compliance of licensed buyers.

The following provincial agencies may advise the Minister: Workers` Compensation Board, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour, N.S. Registry of Joint Stock Companies, N.S. Department of Finance; and, the following federal agencies: Environment Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Human Resources Development Canada.

If sufficient evidence comes forward to indicate unscrupulous behavior, the Minister may refuse to renew a buyer's licence.

The Minister may issue amendments to licensed independent buyers existing prior to April, 1994 and in accordance with the approved licence policy.

New lobster buyers` licences may be issued to applicants who can demonstrate that they have access to facilities which will enhance the quality of live lobster. These licences will be restricted to lobster only.

Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1996, Chapter 25, as amended 1999, Chapter 2

Fish Buyers Licensing and Enforcement Regulations

Fish Buyer and Fish Processor Licence Policy