P.E.I. fish plants still understaffed

The Seafood Processors Association says it expects to see worker shortages again at P.E.I. lobster plants, though it's hoped the number will be up from last year.

The industry has worked hard to recruit new people, officials said, but numbers still aren't where they need to be.

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P.E.I. plants need a total of about 1,900 workers during peak season, said Dennis King, executive director of the Seafood Processors Association.

"I think across the board we would say we're still understaffed compared to what we would need for a full complement of employees," he said.

"But I think the efforts, or at least we're hopeful as we enter into the very busy lobster season ... that we have things in much better hand than we've had in the past."

A student bursary has attracted more workers than expected. About 75 workers from Newfoundland, who lost their jobs when the Baie Verte plant burned down, are also working in Island fish plants.

More temporary foreign workers are expected to arrive soon, as well, mostly from China, Kosovo, Thailand, and the Philippines.  

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