Notice

On June 29, 2012, the Fisheries Act was amended. Policy and regulations are now being developed to support the new fisheries protection provisions of the Act (which are not yet in force). The existing guidance and policies continue to apply. For more information, see Changes to the Fisheries Act.

On April 2nd, 2013 the Habitat Management Program's name was changed to the Fisheries Protection Program.

Contact information for regional offices of the Fisheries Protection Program has been updated.

Further updates to the Fisheries Protection Program Working Near Water website will be made over the coming months.

Nova Scotia Operational Statements

In Nova Scotia, the Department of Environment and Labour (NSEL) is the first point of contact to review activities that occur in or near freshwater. NSEL will contact DFO if further review is required with respect to fish habitat. The following activities require an approval by the Province of Nova Scotia:

• constructing or maintaining a culvert
• constructing or maintaining a bridge which is in the water course, or using equipment closer than 3 metres from the water course
• constructing or maintaining a causeway, wharf, weir, fishway or other instream structure
• removing material from a surface water course
• diverting a water course from its natural channel
• installing or maintaining fishing equipment, fishway, counting fence, fish habitat improvement structure, aquaculture cage or any similar structure in a water course
• dredging or any other modification of a surface water course
• installing or maintaining a pipeline, cable or other equipment in a surface water course
• placing rock or other erosion protection material in a surface water course
• any other alteration of a surface water course or the flow of the water.

Please consult the Nova Scotia's Environment and Labour Watercourse Alteration Approval web site for more information on how to apply for a permit.

In Nova Scotia, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is first point of contact to review activities that occur in or near saltwater. DNR will contact DFO if further review is required with respect to fish habitat. The following activities require a Permit by the Province of Nova Scotia:

• Wharf Construction
• Boat Ramp Construction
• Repair to Existing Wharves
• Breakwater Construction
• Infilling
• Bank Protection
• Moorings

Please consult the following link to access Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources web site for more information on how to apply for a permit.

DFO monitors activities to protect fish habitat. If you have questions, please contact the DFO Area Habitat Coordinator in your area.

Eastern Nova Scotia (ENS)
Habitat Management Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
194 Parkway Drive
Truro Heights
Truro, NS B2N 5A9
Telephone: (902) 896-3605
Fax: (902) 896-3607


Southwest Nova Scotia (SWNS)
Habitat Management Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
280 Logan Road
Bridgewater, NS B4V 3X1
Telephone: (902) 527-5596
Fax: (902) 527-5590


Gulf Nova Scotia
Habitat Management Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
2920 Highway 104
Antigonish County N.S. B2G 2K7
Telephone: (902) 863-5670
Fax: (902) 863-5818