Fishery reels in new jobs for Wollaston Lake community

Now, the factory is able to slab, debone, skin, trim, wash, and package the fish for export all in the same plant. The fish exported will be pickerel, pike, lake trout, and white fish.

Community members and government officials were on hand on Friday for the grand opening of Northern Wild Fishery. After a press conference to acknowledge funding from federal and provincial governments and Cameco Corp., guests were given a tour of the 3,000 square foot facility.

About 20 workers were trained to work at the fish plant and 12 of them are currently employed there. There are also 10 fishermen and two managers who work at the plant.

One of the employees, Bobby Joseyounen, said the fish plant has given him an opportunity he didn’t have before.

“It’s hard to find a job and that’s why I like it. I wanted to work and now I’m working,” Joseyounen said. “I love this job. It keeps me busy every day.”

Chairman of the economic development board in Wollaston Lake, Edward Benoanie, said the facility is a big step in the community, especially when it comes to jobs.

“A lot of these staff were probably drinking on the weekends and sitting watching TV, but it’ll replace that,” Benoanie said. “At least 20 people off the street.”

With operations just beginning, the workers have been able to produce around 700 pounds of fillets on their best day. When the plant begins working at full operation with multiple shifts, they hope to produce around 1,000 pounds a day or 5,000 pounds a week.

In addition to adding more shifts, Benoanie believes with the opportunity to export internationally, the plant could expand to an even larger facility.

“It means a lot for the community,” Benoanie said. “It’s small, but it’s just a seed right now, but the seed will become something in the future.”

knguyen@panow.com

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen

by Khang Nguyen

Fishery reels in new jobs for Wollaston Lake community

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