N.S. seafood processor wants accuser to name names in $10-million lobster lawsuit

By Devin Stevens A Nova Scotia seafood processor is arguing that a commercial fishing group suing it over claims it bought illegal lobster needs to name names and provide more detailed allegations before the case can continue. Independent Fisheries Ltd. and its president, Xiaoming (Mark) Mao, argue in court papers that they’re being asked to prepare a defence to the $10-million lawsuit “with no understanding of the (alleged) facts.” The Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance, a group representing thousands of independent, multi-species commercial fishers and associations across the Maritimes, filed a lawsuit against Mao and Independent Fisheries Ltd. in November 2024. The suit also names the owners and operators of Fisher Direct Ltd. and Seawell Holdings Ltd., both based in Shag Harbour, N.S., as defendants. The alliance alleges it conducted an