Fish Processors & Fish Buyers Licence Policy

A.

INTRODUCTION

1. reduce or eliminate redundant buying and processing capacity.
2. address illegal buying activities.
3. enable the Department to gather timely and relevant information from the industry which will be used to provide direction for enforcement and compliance initiatives.
4. ensure that all processing activities meet food production standards.
5. promote the health and safety of seafood consumers.
6. blend opportunities in coastal communities with resource availability.
7. promote job creation with specific initiatives and capacity limitations.
8. strengthen partnerships between government and industry.
9. promote employment in coastal communities.
10. encourage long-term commitment and investment in the Province of Nova Scotia.
11. increase utilization of existing processing capacity.
12. encourage and support further processing and handling of fish or fish products, by linking government lending directly to job creation in Nova Scotia.
13. promote new species and product development.
14. exclude non-repayable contributions by government to existing and new processing facilities for capital construction and equipment.

B.

ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL

1. detailed description of proposed facilities
2. raw material supply
3. technical competence
4. market potential
5. site and intended buying location

If an applicant or a licence holder has been found guilty of an offence under:

1. the Excise Tax Act (Canada) or regulations;
2. the Fisheries Act (Canada) or regulations;
3. the Fish Inspection Act (Canada) or regulations;
4. the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) or regulations;
5. the Health Act or regulations;
6. the Income Tax Act (Canada) or regulations

1. Lobster (Wholesale) - the Fish Buyers' Licensing and Enforcement Regulations and the Nova Scotia Live Lobster Holding and Handling Criteria (see Schedule “C”)
2. Lobster (Retail) - the Fish Buyers’ Licensing and Enforcement Regulations. A Fish Buyers Licence for lobster is required by a retail outlet and is subject to the following terms and conditions:
   1. A retail outlet must be in compliance with the requirements of the Food Protection and Enforcement Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
   2. Sales must be to final consumers only.
   3. A retail outlet is required to keep records of its buying activity.
3. Periwinkles

1. marine animals
2. marine plants
3. aquaculture seed stock - except for an aquaculturist who buys seed stock from another aquaculturist for grow-out purposes
4. bait - except for a fisher who buys bait from another fisher to be used as bait

1. adding one or more ingredient(s) other than water or salt, which results in a substantive increase to the bulk and/or a substantive transformation to the taste and texture of the fish as a food product (for example, au gratin, chowder or sauce); or
2. applying some other treatment or process to it, other than salting or curing, which results in a significant taste, flavour and/or texture enhancement of the fish as a food product (for example, breading, battering, smoking, marinating or pasteurizing).
    

Applicants for a Nova Scotia Fish Buyer Licence and licence holders must meet, and continue to maintain, the requirements outlined in Sections A, B, C and D as follows:

A. Protocol

Applicants must develop a Nova Scotia Live Lobster Facilities Protocol by completing the Guidelines for the Development of a Live Lobster Facilities Protocol, available here: Live Lobster Facilities Protocol . Applicants must meet the Minimum Requirements as outlined on pages 4 and 5 of the Guidelines.

B. General Requirements - Holding and Handing Facilities

• Applicants and existing licensed buyers must own, and continue to maintain, a lobster holding and handling facility. The facilities will be subject to inspection prior to final approval of the application.
• Ownership of the facilities may be established by submitting proof of a deed, lease, or tax assessment. A Purchase and Sale Agreement may be submitted until such time as a deed, lease or tax assessment is available.
• The approved holding and handling facilities shall be distinct, have their own water intake system and not be encumbered by other users.
• Licence holders will not be permitted to share the same holding and handling facility.
• All intake pipes must be located below the low water mark.

C. Minimum Requirements Holding Facility

• Only a tidal pound or dryland pound will be considered as an approved holding facility.
   
  Tidal Pound means an enclosed shoreline facility that permits natural holding of live lobsters. Seawater is permitted to enter and leave the structure with the natural rise and fall of the tide. It is recommended that there be a minimum of four feet rise in the tide.
   
  Dryland Pound means an enclosed facility constructed on-shore of plastic, fibreglass, concrete or other approved material which is capable of holding live lobsters in controlled conditions utilizing pumped seawater.

 

• The minimum capacity of the live lobster holding facility is required to be not less than 907 kg (2,000 lbs.) of lobsters.


• In closed systems (no intake pipe and water is trucked in), re-circulation systems will be reviewed on their technical merit.

D. Minimum Requirements Handling Facility

Each approved holding facility will have available in the immediate area a handling facility of not less than 13.4 square meters (144 square feet) in which to receive, pack and handle live lobster.

PO Box 890 (Harlow Building)
Truro, Nova Scotia
B2N 5G6