New compliance unit aims to crack down on illegal seafood trade in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is launching a compliance unit to crack down on illegal seafood trade.

Nova Scotia’s fishery and aquaculture minister announced the province is launching a new compliance unit to crack down on the illegal buying and processing of lobster and other species of fish.

“Our new compliance unit will target illegal seafood-related activities that are negatively impacting the sustainability of our resources and the safety of our communities,” said Kent Smith, minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, on Monday.

While the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has jurisdiction on the water and oversees enforcement of fishing on the water, it’s the province that regulates the industry on the shore, including the wholesale buying and processing of seafood.

Since becoming minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023, Smith has been calling on DFO to step up its enforcement on the water and said he’s optimistic the new federal government is doing that.

However, he felt there was more Nova Scotia could do to enhance its enforcement on land, noting there are currently 16 investigations by the province into the illegal buying and selling of seafood.

Smith says the four new inspectors will focus on activities around the wharves, and in seafood facilities where the illegal activities happen, with them focusing solely on the seafood sector.

The seafood, especially lobster, industry is a major economic driver across Nova Scotia and in rural areas like Yarmouth, where the enforcement unit announcement was made.

Lobster exports amount to more than $1.3 billion in economic impact annually and is Nova Scotia’s top export overseas.

“It is estimated that up to 30 percent of annual lobster landings in Atlantic Canada goes unreported,” said Smith. “This represents up to $400 million dollars in lost taxable income in Nova Scotia. That is money that could be invested in things like housing, health care and highways, to support our communities.”

Smith said the new compliance unit won’t impact the current budget, calling it “net-neutral” as the four officers being assigned to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture are being shifted from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

Seafood industry groups say they were calling for more enforcement on shore, saying it will help create a level playing field across the sector by removing the bad actors.

“A focused compliance will help stamp out illegal activity and boost the prosperity for all participants in the industry,” said Kris Voscatto, executive director with the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance.

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