The province is cracking down on illegal fishing.
They say newer, tougher penalties are in place to protect the seafood industry and the economy.
Buying or processing illegally caught fish now carries a $25,000 fine for a first offence, and double that for a second infraction.
Most fines used to be $1,000 or less.
Fisheries minister Kent Smith says they heard the concerns of the seafood industry and are taking strong action.
Thirty percent of rural lobster landings in Atlantic Canada go unreported.
Tougher Penalties to Combat Illegal Fisheries Activities https://t.co/8v66BAZtyd pic.twitter.com/wjWzM3kM9O
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) January 22, 2026
