American Samoa tuna canner, Tri Marine, intends to operate its Samoa Tuna Processors plant in Atu'u, opened just last year, as a logistics hub in support of its trading activity in the region.
Photo: RNZI
Tri Marine announced today that it is suspending canning operations indefinitely beginning December 11th.
At present the cannery has 800 employees.
Tri Marine spokesperson Heidi Happonen said employees were told yesterday and she adds Tri Marine hopes that by giving employees 60-days notice they will have enough time to find new jobs.
A limited number of employees will be retained to take care of the logistic hub, including the operation of the dock and the cold storage facilities.
Ms Happonen said the exact number of employees who will be retained is not yet certain.
She said it is difficult to predict the future for the company, given the factors outside its control, such as the cost and abundance of tuna raw material, changes in free trade agreements, access to fishing grounds, the appeal of US-produced canned tuna in the market and demand for higher quality, sustainable and traceable tuna products.