2002 British Columbia Seafood Processing Employment Survey Results

Jobs

A total of 5,690 person years of employment were reported by B.C. seafood processors in 2002. Jobs in the processing industry were accounted for within three categories: executive, processing and maintenance.

The survey indicated that average employment in the fish processing industry for all categories combined ranged from a low of 4,305 jobs in January to a high of 7,918 jobs in August. Executive and maintenance jobs represented 18 per cent of the total average monthly employment with minor month-to-month fluctuations. Fish processing job counts ranged from 3,313 jobs in January to a high of 6,796 jobs in August.

Regional Data

The Lower Mainland accounted for 57 per cent of all employment, followed by Southern Vancouver Island contributing 21 per cent, Northern Vancouver Island almost 9 per cent, North Coast/Prince Rupert at 7 per cent and the remaining 6 per cent distributed between plants located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Central Coast and the Interior of B.C.

Processing Activity

Of the plants operating in 2002, a total of 97 reported some custom processing activities conducted during the year. Of the 97, 36 provided exclusively custom processing services to clients with the remaining 61 providing custom processing services in addition to processing for themselves. Also in 2002, 134 plants reported that some portion of their processing was done for themselves. Of these 134, 73 reported that all products through their plant were for themselves and no custom work was done at all.

Breakdown of Plant Activity by Species Group

n/a - not applicable

Updated: September 11, 2009