Overview
- The province announced a four-inspector compliance team to police buying and processing at wharves and seafood facilities with known illegal activity.
- Officials did not specify when the new enforcement unit will be operational.
- Measures include an audit program to track fish movement, possible licence revocations, and fines up to $1 million for a first offence and $2 million for a second.
- The team will coordinate with Nova Scotia conservation officers as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
- Recent context includes DFO seizures of 1,529 lobster traps and six boats since June with more than 28,000 lobsters released, RCMP illegal-fishing charges, and provincial estimates that up to 30% of regional lobster goes unreported worth about $400 million.