Ocean Pride Fisheries plant to reopen in North Lake

The decision by Ocean Pride Fisheries to reopen its plant in North Lake is good news for eastern Prince Edward Island, Fisheries Minister Ron MacKinley says.

The plant willbe open for businessthis spring, in time for the lobster season.

MacKinley said his department received official word earlier this week that the plant would resume operations.

"It takes a load off our shoulders because we had a hard job trying to figure out how you create jobs down there, and this is going to create a 100 to 200 jobs," he said.

"This is a company that was out of here last year and they are back again this year, and I'm awful happy. I'm sure[Premier] Robert Ghiz himself will be smiling. It's great news and it's not costing the province any money."

MacKinley said the province has worked hard to try to secure new markets for Island seafood. He believes that was a factor in the decision to reopen the facility.

The plant closed in February 2011. It employed about 120 workers, processing mostly herring, mackerel and lobster, in two seasons: from May to June and August to October.

Wedgeport, N.S.-based Ocean Pride bought the plant in March 2008. It planned to process other species in addition to lobster, such as shark and sea cucumber, but those markets dried up.

Fisherman Peter Boertien was out Thursday repairing andsorting lobster traps for the coming season, and was glad to hear the plant will soon be up and running again.

"I dont think we knew how hard it was going to hit last year," he said.

"You think, Well, 30, 40 jobs its only half the locals, the rest of them are coming in from away. But when it all adds up. You get 30 or 40 jobs gone here and 30 or 40 there, it all adds up to a real hurt."

Many people left the area to find new jobs.

Fisherman Kevin Robertson said it took a toll on local businesses when fish plant workers were no longer coming in to buy groceries, gas or coffee.

"It must have been a big blow," he said.

Colin LaVie, Conservative MLA for the area, has been working on getting the plant reopened.

"This is what weve been waiting for. Everybody was on pins and needles all winter just waiting for this plant to open, and now its happening," he said.