Prince Edward Island Mussels
Fishing company Sealord today confirmed it will cut 323 jobs at its Nelson mussel factory. The company announced last month it was proposing to cease production of half shell mussels and wanted to focus on producing high quality mussels without shells. Sealord chief executive Graham Stuart said after three weeks of consultation with staff and their union, workers were told today of the company’s decision. “We confirmed that total staff numbers at the site will reduce from 380 to 57 and that at least 150 positions in our Vickerman Street (Nelson) fish processing plant are available to affected staff during the hoki season.” He said staff would be paid out redundancy under the provisions of their collective agreement and help would also be offered to find other employment. Mr Stuart said half shell mussel production was neither competitive nor sustainable and the plant had been making losses for some time. The change to producing mussels without shells would improve returns and enable the plant to remain in operation.