Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Fish Buyers Licence
Who Needs This Licence?
Anyone who buys fish, fishery products or fishery resources from fishermen in Nova Scotia.
A licence is not necessary for those who:
- buy less than 25kg of fish or fish products per calendar day for personal consumption only
- buy fish or fish products, excluding lobster, for resale in a retail outlet
- are a non-profit organization, buying for resale
- buy fish or fish products from an existing licence holder
Issuing Department
Where can you get this licence and/or further information?
Fish Buyers/Fish Processors Licensing webpage
or
Licensing and Registration
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
1575A Lake Road, Sandy Point, NS B0T 1W0
Mailing Address:
Application Forms & Process:
An application form must be completed and returned to Licensing Services accompanied by non-refundable licence administration fees in the amount of $265.40 (made payable to the Minister of Finance).
Related Requirements:
Upon receipt of a completed application, the applicant will receive a Letter of Intent outlining compliances (PDF) 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.
Waiting Period:
Varies
Price: (No tax is charged)
Initial application: $265.40 (non-refundable)
Annual licence: calculated by species group and not by the number of species within that group.
- groundfish: $530.75
- pelagic: $132.65
- shellfish: $265.40
- other: $132.65
- aquaculture products: $132.65
Expiry & Renewal:
A licence expires on 31 December of the calendar year for which it is issued. To renew the licence for the following calendar year, the licence holder will receive an Application for Renewal form prior to 31 December. This form must be returned, signed and submitted with appropriate fees. Failure to renew the licence within 30 days of the date of expiry will result in the licence being cancelled.
Additional Information:
A buyer licence is:
- in the case of live lobster, issued to applicants who can demonstrate that they have access to facilities which meet specific holding and handling criteria
- issued subject to the licence policy of the day and upon all compliances and regulatory requirements being met
- not assignable or transferable by the licence holder
A licence may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Minister. The licence holder will be notified of the pending action and may apply for a hearing to show cause why their licence should not be amended, suspended or terminated.
A licence will be cancelled if the fish buyer is not in compliance with the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act or the Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Regulations.
Legislative Authority:
Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1996, Chapter 25, as amended 1999, Chapter 2
Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Regulations, Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act
Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Licence Policy (PDF), Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Back to Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Index in the Permits Directory