Fish Buyers/Fish Processors Licensing

The Province of Nova Scotia regulates seafood buying and processing within Nova Scotia, for the purpose of maintaining product quality, protecting the health and safety of seafood consumers and assisting in the development of the fisheries industry.

Seafood harvesting is regulated by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and it generally becomes the responsbility of the province once the harvest reaches land or the wharf.

Reissuing a Fish Buyers/Fish Processors Licence

Although the Department is not accepting applications for new licences, it is possible to obtain a reissued licence if an existing licence holder is willing to relinquish the licence.

• Licence Reissuance Process
• Forms Required for Every Reissuance Application
  • Request to Relinquish Form
  • Consent to Disclose Information Form
  • Agreement to Reissue Licence
  • Authorized Contact Form (for Conditional Approvals)
• Application to Reissue a Fish Buyers Licence
  • Reissue to Same Company (change in shares only)
  • Reissue to New Company
• Application to Reissue a Fish Buyers/Fish Processors Licence
  • Reissue to Same Company (change in shares only)
  • Reissue to New Company

Pay Your Fish Buyers or Fish Processors Licence Fees

Click here to pay for your fish buyers or fish processors licence online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Interac® Online, or debit card. To make a payment you will need the licence number, licence holder name, invoice number, and amount due.

Forms and Reporting

• Fish Buyers Online Reporting System
• Fish Buyers Online Reporting System Manual
• Reporting Tips
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (all species except lobster, eel and snow crab)
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (lobster)
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (snow crab)
• Weekly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (eel including elver)
• Fish Processors Annual Report
• Appointment of Designated Buyers by Licensed Fish Buyers
• Authorized Contacts Form

Legislation, Policies and Procedures

• Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act
• Fish Buyers's Licensing and Enforcement Regulations
• Fish Inspection Regulations
• Fish Processors and Fish Buyers Licence Policy
• Guidelines for the Development of a Live Lobster Facilities Protocol

Other Resources

• Food Establishment Permits for Retail Fish Buyers Licences for Live Lobster
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Safe Food for Canadians Licences

Sector Information

• NS Seafood Processing Sector Study - State of the Industry and Competitiveness Assessment (Aug 2007)
• NS Seafood Processing Study Meeting, Proceedings (Nov 2007)
• NS Government's Open Data Portal