New Regulations Increase Enforcement

The province is increasing its efforts to combat illegal fishing activities with new regulations regarding the buying and selling of fish announced Ernest Fage, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The Fish Buyers Regulations renamed the Fish Buyers Licensing and Enforcement Regulations, gives the department more authority to monitor a wider variety of activities and charge offenders.

"The underground economy in Nova Scotia's fishery is valued at an estimated $50 million," said Mr. Fage. "These changes are necessary if our inspectors expect to tackle this illegal activity. It gives the inspectors more authority than they had in the past."

The former regulations dealt exclusively with licensed buyers of fish and fish products. The new regulations, in effect as of June 1, also address selling, holding, transporting and possessing fish and fish products.

While the federal fisheries department is responsible for the activity on the water the responsibility of the province begins when the fish is brought on shore and sold.

"Industry, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Revenue Canada have told us that they want illegal activities stopped, hopefully this action will do that," said Mr. Fage.

Illegal activity can mean everything from fishing out of season, capturing more than the allowable catch, paying in cash without issuing the proper receipt, buying from a person who does not hold a valid commercial fishing licence issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada or buying fish that is considered too small. The new regulations also make it illegal to buy fish caught as part of an aboriginal communal fishing arrangement issued for food, social and ceremonial purposes.

The cost of applying for a buyers licence will increase for new buyers. New applicants will see an increase to $200 from $100.

Current licence holders will not see any increase in fees when renewing their license.

Retailers who buy lobster directly from fishermen will now be required to have a fish buyers licence. Staff will consult with the retail industry over the next few months to discuss licence conditions.

"This move is another way inspectors can get a really good grasp of the problem by having the ability to manage it from the retail level," said Mr. Fage. "If fish is caught illegally and no one buys it then maybe that will limit the illicit activity."

Persons exempt from the regulations are more clearly defined and include non-profit organizations and persons buying 25 kilograms of seafood or less per day for personal consumption and not for resale.

These new regulations will fulfill government's commitment to tackle the growing problem of illegal fishing, buying and selling by strengthening fisheries enforcement efforts. To further assist in this task the department will hire additional inspectors to help administer the new regulations.

Additional information can be found at the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/fish .