StarKist Samoa employees will have the week following White Sunday off as the cannery will be shut down due to a fish supply shortage.
According to StarKist spokesperson Michelle Faist, the StarKist Samoa cannery will shut down operations during the week of October 10, as a result of fish-supply shortages.
This is the second time in the past twelve months the StarKist Samoa plant has temporarily shut down manufacturing due to fish-supply issues facing the facility.
In the last shutdown, StarKist managed to keep everyone working but at reduced hours.
This time however, the cannery says limited freezer capability and the lack of space to expand the freezer “have negatively impacted StarKist Samoa’s operational efficiency over the years.”
Faist says the situation is further amplified due to fewer deliveries of fish now being made to American Samoa as a result of the closure of the high seas, and limitations on the US exclusive economic zone, and accessibility of other traditional fishing grounds to the U.S. fishing fleets.
The StarKist executive said while fish is currently being delivered via reefer vessel, the volume is not enough to keep the plant running as originally scheduled in October.
In addition, securing fish from alternative supply sources, such as reefer vessels, is limited, expensive and unsustainable over the long term.
Faist said, “We recognize this shut down is a disruption to our workers, and appreciate their understanding during this time.”
The StarKist Samoa plant is expected to re-open on Monday, October 17, after additional deliveries are made to the plant.
