Fish Buyers/Fish Processors Licensing

The Government 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. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture carries out this legislated mandate under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, the regulations governing fish buying and processing in Nova Scotia and the corresponding licensing policy.

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

Since 2018, the department has been conducting a review of the licensing policy and related regulations. During that time, a temporary moratorium was put in place on issuing licences and adding species to existing licences. The licensing policy review has been completed. As a result, the moratorium is being lifted.

• 1 August 2025 – Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will accept applications for new licences and species additions to existing licences (except for lobster buying and snow crab)
• 2 January 2026 – Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will accept applications for new lobster buying and snow crab licences and species additions to existing licences (lobster and snow crab)
• Q&A – Fish Buyers Fish Processor Licence Moratorium Lift (May 2025) (PDF)

Changes have been made to the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, Fish Buyers’ and Licensing Enforcement Regulations, Fish Inspection Regulations, licence conditions, Fish Processors and Fish Buyers Licence Policy and the licence application process.

• Until 2 January 2026, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will continue to accept applications to reissue existing fish buyer licences for lobster and fish buyer and processor licences for snow crab. Please contact the Department for further information on the process.
• Summary of Changes to Fish Buyer and Processor Licensing Policy (Aug 2025) (PDF)
• New Licence Application Process (Aug 2025) (PDF)

Pay Licence Fees

Pay for your fish buyers or fish processors licence online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Interac® Online, or debit card. If you do not have an invoice, check the Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Licence Policy (PDF) for fee amounts.

Apply for a New Licence or Amend a Licence

• 1 August 2025 – New application process for fish buyer and fish processor licences will be in effect
• New Licence Application Process (Aug 2025) (PDF)
• Application forms and documents

Reporting

• Fish Buyers Online Reporting System
• Fish Buyers Online Reporting System Manual (PDF)
• Reporting Tips (PDF)
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (all species except lobster, eel and snow crab) (PDF)
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (lobster) (PDF)
• Monthly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (snow crab) (PDF)
• Weekly Fish Buyers Reporting Document (eel including elver) (PDF)
• Fish Processors Annual Report (XLSX)

Policies and Procedures

• Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act (PDF)
• Appeal Under Section 118 - Notice of Appeal Form (PDF)
• Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Regulations
• Fish Buyers Licence Conditions (PDF)
• Fish Processors Licence Conditions (PDF)
• Single Event Licence Conditions (PDF)
• Fish Buyers and Fish Processors Licence Policy (PDF)
• Guidelines for the Development of a Live Lobster Facilities Protocol (PDF)

Related information

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Safe Food for Canadians Licences
• Fish Buyers and Processors Licence Utilization Data: 2022-2024 (XLSX)
• Fish Processing Data: 2022-2024 (XLSX)
• Fish Purchasing Data: 2022-2024 (XLSX)
• Fisheries Food Safety Resources - Perennia
• Food Establishment Permits for Retail Fish Buyers Licences for Live Lobster
• Nova Scotia Loyal
• NS Government's Open Data Portal
• NS Registry of Licensed Fish buyers and Processors (XLSX)
• NS Seafood Buying and Processing Sector Employment Survey Results: 2024 (PDF)
• NS Seafood Export Directory
• NS Seafood Processing Sector Study - State of the Industry and Competitiveness Assessment (Aug 2007) (PDF)
• NS Seafood Processing Study Meeting, Proceedings (Nov 2007) (PDF)