Tuna Cannery in American Samoa to Halt Production

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — One of the two tuna canning companies operating in American Samoa plans to suspend production in December.

In a statement Thursday, Bellevue, Washington-based Tri Marine says it will end production indefinitely at its Samoa Tuna Processors cannery plant.

The company's 800 employees were informed of the plan Thursday. The company didn't specify how many will be affected.

American Samoa does not have labor unions and most employees are paid minimum wage.

The company says in a statement that the current economics of canning tuna in American Samoa makes operations unsustainable. The company is considering alternatives for the plant, including an outright sale. The company pumped $70 million into the plant before it opened in January 2015.