The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has updated the Fish Processing Licensing Policy Manual ahead of the 2025 season to allow increased competition, grow capacity across the sector, and support free enterprise.

The updates are part of the 10-point plan to advance free enterprise announced in November. The pillars of the plan included legislation for more flexibility in the fish price setting process, increased competition through increased processing capacity, and strengthened controls over corporate concentration.

The revised manual protects free enterprise by prohibiting the transfer of ownership or control of snow crab processing licenses. The updates to the manual also encourage capacity growth and competition through increased minimum production thresholds, adjustments to regional license transfers, and allowing new buyers licenses for all species (excluding sea urchins) for the upcoming fishing season.

As committed to in November, the updates to the manual are complete and it is now available online at Fish Processing Licensing – Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

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“We’ve heard from industry the need for these policy updates to ensure free enterprise across the sector and promote real growth in production capacity. The updates are now complete and we continue to collaborate with the industry on other important issues in preparation for the upcoming season.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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