Clearwater Seafoods in Nova Scotia lays off workers in Lockeport and Arichat

Halifax-based Clearwater Seafoods announced Thursday plans to change its lobster operations, which will result in permanent and temporary job losses in Nova Scotia.The company issued a statement confirming that a shift in focus to frozen-at-sea offshore harvesting will result in the shutdown of its lobster processing line at a plant in Lockeport, N.S., and the sale of a lobster pound in southern Cape Breton.Lockeport Mayor Derek Amalfa said about half of the 145 people employed at the Pierce Fisheries plant in the town will lose their jobs, but the plant will remain open to process scallops.