2 Nova Scotia seafood companies appear in court on alleged licence violations

The cases were heard Monday in Digby provincial court. (Robert Short/CBC - image credit)
The cases were heard Monday in Digby provincial court. (Robert Short/CBC - image credit)

Two Nova Scotia seafood companies appeared Monday in Digby provincial court on alleged licence violations.

Nautical Seafoods of Annapolis County, owner and CEO Shawn Lawrence Everett, and another man, Alfred Frank Andrews, were arraigned for allegedly selling fish products not harvested under a commercial licence.

The charges were laid four months ago.

The men and the company each face a single count of unauthorized trading in fish products under federal regulations.

The accused were not in court Monday.

Nautical Seafoods of Annapolis County sells lobster and scallops.
Nautical Seafoods of Annapolis County sells lobster and scallops.(CBC)

The case returns to court next month for election and plea.

Nautical Seafoods sells live and frozen lobster and scallops.

In an email statement to CBC News on Tuesday night, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said the charges against Nautical Seafoods are the result of an investigation that began following an inspection at the fish plant in Digby in June 2020.

Also in Digby provincial court on Monday, Eugene Carrol Oliver, Ryan Nicholas Oliver, and Ryash Enterprises were arraigned on a total of 54 charges under the Fisheries Act for alleged non-compliance with licence conditions.

The company is located near Parkers Cove, Annapolis County.

The charges in this case are recent.

DFO said the charges against Ryash Enterprises and two individuals are for "multiple scallop fishing violations."

The Department said the cases are not related and declined further comment, beyond a commitment to enforce its rules.

"DFO is committed to protecting and safeguarding the long-term health and productivity of Canada's fisheries resources, and takes the regulations related to the harvesting, buying, selling and/or possession of fish seriously," DFO Maritimes spokesperson Megan Gallant said in an email.

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