Charges laid against two Nova Scotia businesses accused of illegal lobster buying

The Nova Scotia government has charged two businesses, Independent Fisheries in Lockeport and a numbered company in Shelburne County, with purchasing illegally caught lobsters. These charges stem from a two-year investigation into the lobster trade, with both companies facing allegations of buying, selling, or processing fish without valid licences.

The numbered company, 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd., faces an additional charge for purchasing, selling, or marketing fish without the required licence. Nova Scotia recently increased the maximum fine for first-time offenders to $1 million, up from $100,000. The cases are set to be heard in Yarmouth Provincial Court next month. Colin Sproul, president of the Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance, expressed satisfaction with the charges and praised the government's increased enforcement against illegal fishing.

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