American Samoa's largest private employer, StarKist Samoa, will shut down operations during the week starting October 10th because of a lack of fish.
American Samoa tuna processing plant Photo: RNZI Monica Miller
This was the second time in the past year StarKist Samoa had temporarily shut down due to fish supply issues.
StarKist spokesperson Michelle Faist said fewer deliveries of fish were now being made to American Samoa as a result of the closure of the high seas, US EEZs, and other traditional fishing grounds to the US fishing fleets.
Cannery, American Samoa Photo: Supplied
She said the volume was not enough to keep the plant running up until October as originally planned.
She said securing fish from alternative supply sources was limited, expensive and unsustainable over the long term.