Anyone who wants to operate an establishment for the purpose of processing fish, including cleaning, filleting, icing, packing, canning, freezing, smoking, salting, cooking, pickling, drying or any other manner of preparing fish for market.

A licence is not necessary for those who:

1. process fish for his or her own personal consumption;
2. process fish for retail sale in a retail outlet owned by that person; or
3. as Fisherman Packers, process their own catch into whole or dressed unfrozen, salted or pickled fish.

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 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 (email 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: $213.00
Annual Renewal: $213.00

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 Fish Inspection Regulations of Canadian Food Inspection Agency
3. Compliance with Fish Inspection Regulations of Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
   
4. Approval from Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
   
5. Provision of Canada Revenue Agency Business Number, if applicable
6. Proof of ownership of food processing facility.
7. Provision of appropriate shareholding information
8. Compliance with relevant municipal by-laws
   

Processing licences are not assignable or transferable to other persons. However, they may be re-issued to the same facility if sold to an applicant who meets all regulatory requirements.

At the end of each calendar year, the Minister will review the compliance of licensed processors.

Note: 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, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

If sufficient evidence comes forward to indicate unscrupulous behavior, the Minister may refuse to renew a fish processor licence.

Licences for processing plants which are not in compliance with the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, the Fish Inspection Regulations, or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fish Inspection Regulations for more than 12 months, will be cancelled.

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

Fish Buyers' Licensing and Enforcement Regulations, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act

Fish Inspection Regulations, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act.

Fish Buyer and Fish Processor Licence Policy, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture