25 Jul 2022

Seafood companies floundering for lack of staff

From Nine To Noon, 9:10 am on 25 July 2022
Westfleet wharf

Westfleet wharf Photo: Supplied

There's disarray in the fishing industry with massive under-staffing affecting the processing of wet fish. 

It's hoki season and despite efforts to hire more people, the labour is just not there 

One of the country's largest seafood exporters, Sealord is bracing for multi-million dollar losses as it doesn't have enough staff on the factory floor. 

Chief Executive Doug Paulin says last year they'd hope to recruit 450 more staff but ended up only being able to attract 300 and the situation has deteriorated since then. 

He's just back from a break and will be in the Nelson plant today helping to help process fish. He talks to Kathryn about the extent immigration policy and the pandemic contributing to the shortage of workers.