FREDERICTON, N.B. – Improvements to the Seafood Processing Act come into effect, Aug. 9, the opening day of the southeast lobster season.
Amendments passed during the spring sitting of the legislative assembly address concerns about the act, adopted in 2009, as identified by the fishing industry during consultations.
"There are a number of challenges facing the lobster industry as the result of the lobster glut and low prices,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. “There are no quick and easy solutions; these changes to the act are intended, however, to improve the quality of seafood at all levels of the value chain, increasing the value of New Brunswick seafood."
All fish buyers purchasing directly from fishers on the wharf are now required to have a fish-buying licence unless exempted under regulation. This will ensure that the highest quality standards will be met in the handling, holding and transporting of fish.
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