Lax Kw'alaams fish plant offers employment and hope to community

While Prince Rupert watches a good portion of its past fade from the waterfront, in the form of closed fish plants. To the north of the city, up in Lax Kw'alaams, the future it would seem is with the fishery and the recently opened "state of the art" fish plant that will process ground fish on almost a year round basis.

The first fish were delivered to the Coast Tsimshian Fish Plant earlier this week, bringing to the town employment and bringing to an end a twelve month construction period to provide for one of the newest fish processing plants in the province.

The plant which features the largest freezing facility on the coast, at the moment employs 60 workers, a number which could increase significantly when the spring and summer  peak fishing seasons arrive.

A prospect that considering the ongoing downsizing of the industry in Prince Rupert, has a number of former residents considering plans to return home.

In addition to the plant and employment it provides, the Coast Tsimshian have purchased a 24 metre trawler, as well as a ground fish quota. Assets that they believe will assist in making the plant successful.

The return of a fish processing operation to the town, is also spurring on thoughts of spin off development, which Lax Kw'alaams officials hope will further improve the economy of the town.

The Vancouver Sun provides a detailed background piece on the project and what it may bring to the community in the future.

Other media reports on the re-opening of the fish plant can be found below.

CFTK TV-- Lax Kw'alaams Open State of the Art Fish Plant
CFTK TV-- Lax Kw'alaams Fish Plant (video)

The home page for  Coast Tsimshian Seafood can be found here.

Previous items on the North coast fishery can be found from our Industrial Development Archives.