Two Nova Scotia businesses are facing charges following a two-year investigation into illegal lobster buying in the southwestern part of the province. The Department of Natural Resources has charged Independent Fisheries in Lockeport and 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd. in North West Harbour under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, according to a news release from the province. Both businesses were charged with 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 an additional charge of processing, buying, selling, possessing or marketing fish products in Nova Scotia without the required licence or an exemption under the regulations. The charges were laid on Oct. 2 and pleas are scheduled for Nov. 12, according to the province. “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,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith in the release. “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.” In a separate statement, Independent Fisheries says its “vehemently denies any allegations of wrongdoing.” “Independent Fisheries is a proud contributor to Nova Scotia’s south shore, employing over 80 people and maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety,” the statement reads. “We operate with a robust due diligence process to ensure all lobster is sourced in-season from legal license holders, including requiring proof of origin for every transaction. “It is the role of third-party dealers to ascertain and accurately represent where the lobster they are selling has being sourced from.” The province estimates up to 30 per cent of annual lobster landings in Atlantic Canada are not reported, which could represent up to $400 million in taxable income in Nova Scotia. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
