The American Samoan share of a fine paid by the cannery StarKist Samoa for environmental violations has been received by the government.
StarKist Samoa workers Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Governor Lolo Maliga says the $US2.6 million payment has been put in a special account to await a decision on how it will be spent.
The Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale said under the consent agreement, American Samoa's portion of the total settlement of $US6.5 million is to be used for specific purposes.
Initially the cannery was to make payment only to the US Government but at the governor's instructions, and with strong lobbying from Congresswoman Aumua Amata, the territory's government became party to the lawsuit against StarKist.