“Business as usual” is a saying that’s out the window for many in the face of COVID-19 challenges, but that rings especially true for seafood processing plants in New Brunswick.
The slashed market demand was a concern for fishermen as the season approached. Factoring in the provincial government’s decision to restrict temporary foreign workers from entering the province due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it wasn’t looking bright for the industry. “We’re down to half capacity,” says Westmorland Fisheries owner Russel Jacob. “Meaning there’s going to be lobsters left on the wharves with no homes.” Replacing new job vacancies left by the foreign workers are some locals, Jacob says, most of whom are students.