For generations, Starkist and Chicken of the Sea canneries have been the lifeblood of local communities – providing jobs that form the backbone of American Samoa’s economy. At their peak, over 4,000 islanders worked the lines, exporting over $500 million worth of canned tuna yearly.
But the last 15 years have brought an onslaught of cheaper overseas competition. Output has plunged by 50% as plants have cut staffing in half. Experts warn another 2,000 jobs could soon be on the line.
There’s still hope to turn the tide. Investing $200 million to upgrade old ports and make factories more modern and efficient could make the plants globally competitive again. Retraining programs can also ensure experienced Samoan workers have the skills to operate new equipment.
It’s about more than just business logistics. Saving these remaining cannery jobs means preserving a way of life that has touched generations in the island’s close-knit communities. With some strategic upgrades and policy backing, American Samoa’s tuna catch can still anchor the local economy into the future.