Residents of the Placentia Bay community of Arnold's Cove are concerned about the future of the fish plant after it closed two months earlier than normal this year.

Ed and Lorraine Lockyer are worried about the future of the Icewater Seafoods plant. Ed drives a forklift and Lorraine works on the processing line.

"Who's going to hire me at 60 years old?" Ed said.

Many of the employees, including the Lockyers, are older workers, and are worried they won't be able to find work anywhere else.

"Where are we all going to get work if we don't get work there? There's so many of us there at our age and everything," Lorraine said.

The plant in Arnold's Cove processes cod fish only. This season, the plant was only open for 14 weeks.

Lack of fish coming in

Fishermen are more interested in catching shrimp and crab, which bring in higher prices.

Tom Osbourne, the plant manager and mayor of Arnold's Cove, said the big problem is a lack of fish coming in.

"We're used to working pretty steady here at the plant here in Arnold's Cove — we're not used to these ups and downs," Osbourne said. "So, it is a bit concerning for me personally and as mayor of the town, as well."

Ed said her is eager to see more fish coming in, but isn't holding his breath.

"We'd love for them to catch the fish, we'd love for it to come to plant so we could do it," he said. "But, you know, reality isn't that way."

The company said they hope to re-open the plant in June.