10 Dec 2014

Close watch on progress of Apia tuna plant

11:54 am on 10 December 2014

The owners of American Samoa's new cannery, Samoa Tuna Processors, are keeping an eye on Bumble Bee's planned fish loining plant in Samoa.

Government sources in Apia say a review of the Bumble Bee project by fisheries and environmental officials is in progress, though not at the pace the cannery would like.

Another factor which may be slowing up Bumble Bee's plant in Apia is that the company is close to being sold.

In June, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepe Sailele Malielegaoi, signed an MOU with Bumble Bee's CEO Chris Lischewski lish-oo-ski for the loining plant which is to be set up at the Matautu wharf.

Reports at the time said that construction would start before the end of the year but that hasn't happened.

In Apia last week, the Chief Operating Officer of Tri Marine International Joe Hamby said the Bumble Bee plant poses a concern for their company.

Tri Marine is due to open its new cannery, Samoa Tuna Processors in Atu'u, American Samoa next month.