A Shanghai-based company is to open a new tuna processing plant in the Marshall Islands capital, Majuro, in the early part of 2007
Glen Joseph, director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority says the Shanghai Deep Sea Fisheries Company operation will provide at least 500 jobs for local people.
The plant will process skipjack tuna from purse seine fishing vessels by filleting, cooking and freezing the tuna for transshipment to tuna canneries in Asia.
Two-and-a-half years ago a tuna loining plant operated by an American
company closed down, putting more than 600 Marshall Islanders out of jobs,
Local officials say that a bigger plant with higher production levels and additional fish products can be financially viable where the previous plant was not.