Fee Removed, Permit Remains for Roadside Live Lobster Vendors

The province has removed the $40.53 permit fee put in place last fall for lobster fishermen who sell live lobster roadside, effective immediately.

"Lobster fisherman have been struggling with low prices in the past year, and they have traditionally sold direct to customers without needing to purchase a permit," said Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Vendors selling live lobster roadside are still required to have a permit, but there will be no fee."

Eighty permits to sell live lobster from the roadside have been issued to date. Sellers will still have to comply with current food safety and reporting requirements.

"There has been great co-operation with the lobster vendors since the permit was initiated," says Mike Horwich, director of food protection, Department of Agriculture. "We have not had any food safety or regulatory issues with the live lobster vendors."

Vendors can get a food permit online at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/agric/paal006.asp, by contacting a food safety specialist in their region, or by calling the food safety division at 902-424-1173.

For copies of the 2009 Lobster Sellers weekly report, visit the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture website at www.gov.ns.ca/fish/licensing/conditions.shtml or call fisheries licensing services at 902-424-0335.