A grassroots petition to save American Samoa 's canneries and tuna industry has collected more than 7,100 signatures.
The petition, which was launched by a local businesswoman, Kathy Pilimai, is now on its way to President Barack Obama.
Cannery, American Samoa Photo: Supplied
The petition calls on the president to intervene and help the canneries in American Samoa now affected by the closure of nearby fishing grounds and a higher minimum wage.
She says raising the minimum wage prices the territory out of jobs in the competitive tuna industry to other Third World countries.
She said the closure of the canneries would mean fewer shipping vessels coming to American Samoa, choking off the territory's lifeline for products families need to survive.
The petition has been sent to Congresswoman Aumua Amata who is delivering it to the White House.
