Any person who wants to engage in commercial aquaculture activity on public lands.

Note: This lease grants exclusive property rights to the location designated for the aquaculture activity that is to be carried out.

Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture

Coastal Resource Coordinators
(see Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture: Regional Offices )

Aquaculture Division
Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
Homburg Building
3rd Floor
1741 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3C4

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2223
Halifax, NS B3J 3C4

Tel: (902) 424-0356
Fax: (902) 424-1766

An application form can be obtained from the local N.S. Coastal Resource Coordinator or the Aquaculture Division office of Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture . When completed, it is submitted to the Aquaculture Division, along with an administration fee of $579.52 and any details that may be requested. The request is reviewed by the appropriate government agencies, local stakeholder groups and a technical review committee.

If approved by the Minister, the applicant is granted exclusive property rights to conduct aquaculture activity on Crown Land. The lease will be sent to the applicant by mail.

The waiting period is based on the complexities of each particular application, so the processing time may vary from 12 to 24 months. If the Federal Government determines that an Environmental Assessment is required or there are extenuating circumstances, it will usually take longer.

As of April 1, 2008, there is a new fee structure for this Lease:

Initial Application: $579.52
Yearly Lease Fee: $11.59 per hectare per Aquaculture Lease
Assignment Fee: $231.80
Amendment Fee: $115.90
Ten Year Lease Renewal Fee: $347.71
Public Access to Files Fee: $11.59

This lease is valid for 10 years from the day it is issued.  It can be renewed; the renewal process is started by the lease holder, who should contact the Department before the lease expires.  The renewal is valid for 5 years from the day it is issued.

1. Exemptions or approvals under the Navigable Waters Protection Act - Canadian Coast Guard

2. Water Approval: Water Course Alteration, Nova Scotia Environment
3. Aquaculture Licence, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture

4. The Department may consult with other agencies such as:
   
   1. Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)
      
   2. Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
      
   3. Federal Public Works
      
   4. N.S. Registry of Joint Stock Companies
      
   5. Environment Canada
      
   6. N.S. Department of Natural Resources
      
   7. Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
       
5. An Environmental Assessment may be required for any aquaculture activity other than direct bottom culture.  This will be determined early in the application process.

1. Assignment deals with a change in name or ownership of the issued lease/licence.
   
2. Amendment deals with any other changes to an issued lease/licence (ie. species, technology etc.); and
   
3. Public Access to Files involves the inspection of documents maintained by the Registrar of Aquaculture (excluding confidential information)

Applicants are required to submit a development plan at the time of application which includes a business plan, relevant technical and biological data.

Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act and Regulations, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1996, Chapter 25