9 months ago, the St. Mary’s, N.L. seafood plant burned to the ground. The town is worried the company is moving on

During a stormy fall night last year, the St. Mary’s seafood processing plant caught fire and burned to the ground, and the mayor says residents are now worried it won’t be revived.

In November, a fire destroyed the St. Mary’s Bay Fisheries plant, owned by Daley Seafoods Inc. The plant employed up to 300 workers, making it a significant employer in the region.

Mayor Steve Ryan said people in town are now worried the company doesn’t plan to reopen. He said one source of concern is the saltwater line that brings water into the plant is being removed.

“There’s a lot of worry,” he told CBC Radio’s The Broadcast. “I’m upset myself, to even think that we’re gonna go down that road.”

Per his latest communication with the company, Ryan was told they’re talking with the insurance company. He said he wants the company to resume operations in St. Mary’s.

“I have a great relationship with that company. They were great to our town. We’d love to have them back. The people would love to have them back,” said Ryan.

“They were loyal to us. We were loyal to them and we had a great working relationship. And I don’t want to see anything happen to that.”

CBC News left several messages with Daley Seafoods Inc. but did not receive a response.

Ryan also said the company was awarded a lobster licence for its St. Mary’s fish plant but he’s since learned the licence is being rented out to another group. Ryan also doesn’t want to see the licence formerly associated with his town go elsewhere.

“I cannot see a license being moved out of our town without us fighting. The people of St. Mary’s fought to get this here. Our MHA fought to get it here. And I tell you, we will fight to keep that licence here,” said Ryan.

“And hopefully for this company to come back and process again.”

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Loyola O’Driscoll said in recent months he has met with company representatives and got an update from the company on what they were doing for their employees.

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St. Mary’s seafood plant workers cautiously optimistic after fire levels their workplace

He added the company also said they were looking for another location where they could process crab, and a temporary licence was issued.

However, O’Driscoll doesn’t know whether the company is looking to move its operations out of St. Mary’s permanently.

“We’re certainly there to help the town of St. Mary’s,” he said.

When asked if the company could take its crab processing licence meant for St. Mary’s and bring it elsewhere, O’Driscoll responded, “These licences are tied to companies, not to towns,” adding if another company was interested in setting up in St. Mary’s, his department would support it.

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