Oceana Group has disputed reports that its Lucky Star cannery in South Africa is closing, saying operations have only been temporarily consolidated because of fish supply shortages.
The company issued a statement on Tuesday in response to reports that Lucky Star and Amawandle canning factories on South Africa’s West Coast would close at the end of June, leaving workers uncertain about their future.
“Oceana Group would like to point out that the headline is misleading. Operations have been temporarily consolidated until such time sufficient fish stock can be procured,” the company says.
According to Oceana, operations from its Amawandle Pelagic facility at Laaiplek have been moved to its Lucky Star operations in St Helena Bay.
“Oceana has temporarily consolidated the two cannery operations on the West Coast into Lucky Star Operations at St Helena Bay. Amawandle Pelagic employees from the Laaiplek facility are being bused to St Helena Bay,” the statement says.
The company says the move was intended to protect workers from losing their jobs.
“This decision was made to protect jobs and ensure our employees can continue to earn an income,” Oceana says.
The company says the difficulties it is facing are linked to the availability of fish.
“The full local (South African) pilchard quota has been caught, and the company is struggling to source sufficient imported frozen fish.”
The clarification follows concerns raised by workers and trade unions after reports that the facilities would shut down at the end of June because of fish shortages.
Workers quoted in South African media said they feared they would be left without income for months.
Some employees said they had not received additional financial support during previous production stoppages and were worried about how they would provide for their families.
The Food and Allied Workers Union also raised concerns about the state of South Africa’s fishing industry and called for measures to protect jobs in the sector.
Pilchard is one of the main fish species used in canning operations.
According to Oceana, efforts are underway to secure enough fish supplies to keep production running in the coming months.
“Procurement teams are working hard to acquire sufficient frozen product for the next three to four months,” the company says.
It did not indicate when normal operations at both facilities would resume but says the consolidation would remain in place until enough fish stock becomes available.
