Nova Scotia Judge Upholds Fisheries Minister's Licence Moratorium

The Supreme Court ruling confirms the minister's authority to maintain a ban on new fish processing licences since 2018.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court has upheld the fisheries minister's authority to impose a moratorium on new licences for fish buyers and processors.
Justice James Chipman dismissed an appeal by Lobster Hub Inc., a lobster processor in Meteghan, N.S., which sought to expand its licence to include snow crab and other species.
Lobster Hub's applications were rejected by three different fisheries ministers over a three-year period, citing an ongoing policy review.
The moratorium on new licences has been in place since 2018 and was deemed within the minister's rights under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act.
The court's decision underscores the minister's power to create and administer fisheries policies, impacting the regional fishing industry.