Apply for a Fish Processor Licence

You must have licence to process fish or fish products for commercial purposes in PEI. This licence expires each December 31st and must be renewed by the zone deadline described below. In addition, you are required to provide yearly statistics on fish processed during the licence period in accordance with the Fisheries Act Regulations.

You can use the online forms below to apply for your annual fish processor licence and submit your annual statement.

The deadline to apply for a licence is as follows:

Area 24 & 26: March 31^st
Area 25: July 31^st

Processing licences are issued in the following categories:

Primary processing (includes secondary processing) - cleaning, filleting, splitting, shucking, extracting, dividing into portions, salting, icing, freezing, cooking, pickling, drying, canning, bottling or reducing fish
Secondary processing (lobster or Groundfish) - any processing stage beyond primary processing to add further value to a fish product by transforming taste or texture with ingredients other than salt or water, i.e. smoked salmon.
Lobster cook room - operated in conjunction with a lobster pound (max size 144 ft2).
Groundfish processing

What do I need to complete the online form?

You will be asked to enter and submit the following information:

Full contact information including the civic or street address of your facility
PEI corporate registration number
Processed product details, i.e. species, end product form (secondary licence only).
If you are renewing your licence, you your complete the Fish Processor Yearly Statement before submitting your Fish Processor Licence application
Full payment according to licence type

You must submit the Yearly Statement for the previous year before you can renew your licence. When you complete the Yearly Statement form, write down your submission ID as you will need it to complete the licence renewal.

How long will it take to complete the online form?

Providing you have the information ready and your annual statement completed, you can complete this form in less than 10 minutes.

What is the fee?

The annual fee for a licence to process fish according to category is listed below. There is no HST.

Primary - $200
Secondary - $200
Lobster cook room - $75
Groundfish processing - $75

How long will it take to process my application?

Please allow two weeks to process your application. Your licence will be issued by Fish Inspection staff.

What else should I know about this licence?

In addition to a fish processor licence, you will require a fish buyer licence if you intend to purchase the product you process directly from fishers.

You can request an automated e-mail reminder to renew your licences each year using the Add a Reminder feature on the right side of this page.

All fish intended for processing must be adequately iced or chilled while being held or transported and must be protected from contamination and weather.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information contact:
   PEI Department of Fisheries and Communities
   Cheryl Campbell
   PO Box 1180
   Montague, PE C0A 1R0
   Telephone: (902) 838-0826
   Fax: (902) 838-0975

Submit Yearly Statement

Apply for Fish Processing Licence

This service accepts payments using VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, and Debit MasterCard.