More federal employees in Nova Scotia have been told their jobs are at risk of disappearing.

About 50 workers in the province received notices this week. Most are at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including 24 biologists working in habitat management in Dartmouth, Truro, Antigonish, Digby and Bridgewater.

Gary Corbett, head of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, said the habitat management program has been targeted across the country.

"This latest round of cuts, and including the cuts that we've seen, are highly qualified scientists and professionals, so it's a continuation of the drawdown of the science capacity in Canada in the federal public service," he said.

It amounts to more than 200 jobs at DFO, he added.

Workers who receive notices won't necessarily lose their jobs. They could be moved into other positions.

The Harper government plans to eliminate 19,000 public service jobs over the next three years.

Dozens of employees in Nova Scotia who work in other federal departments have already received their notices.