The reduction of fishing days in the Pacific as a result of the U.S. government treaty with Forum Fishery Agency, the issues surrounding minimum wage, and the need for additional land for cannery expansion were among the issues discussed last Friday during a news conference with StarKist Co., new president and chief executive officer Andrew Choe, who was in the territory.

At the outset of the news conference, held at the StarKist Samoa main office, Choe explained why he was on island, saying that when he took over the leadership post, he wanted to come here first "to show my appreciation to the government, which has been so great” and to visit the “loyal employees that we have.”

“And also to show my commitment because StarKist success comes from the support of our employees and leadership as well as the government,” said Choe, who left the Territory Friday.

SOUTH PACIFIC FISHING TREATY

One big concern for American Samoa is the reduction of fishing days for US vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zone of the South Pacific islands of Kiribati, under a new $90 million fishing treaty agreement signed last month between the U.S. and Forum Fisheries Agency’s (FFA) 17 member countries.

Asked for reaction to this issue, Choe said, “we are very much concerned with results of the treaty. However, we are very much committed to American Samoa, and this is something that we discussed with the local leadership.”

“I think with the support of local leadership and with the success of our committed workforce that we have, I think we should be able to overcome this challenge as well,” he said, adding that they are also committed to working closely with Tri Marine, whose fishing fleet supplies fish for StarKist.

“Tri Marine is one of the most important partners that we have — not just Tri Marine, but other independent boat owners,” he stated.

ASG and the canneries are hosting on Nov. 28 the delegation from the FFA and officials with the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which is made up of eight Pacific countries, including Kiribati. The PNA controls the largest fishing grounds in the world. (See Samoa News edition on Nov. 14 for more details).

A program for the visiting delegation, shows that they are scheduled to arrive in Pago Pago after 8a.m. followed by a welcoming ava ceremony at the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

At 10a.m. they will tour StarKist Samoa, followed by Samoa Tuna Processors Inc, which is also where a luncheon will be held hosted by the governor’s office. Around 2:30p.m. is the tour of the shipyard before the delegation returns to Samoa for the 11th Regular Session of the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) set for Dec. 1-5.

Choe said StarKist joins Tri Marine and ASG in emphasizing to the visiting delegation the importance of American Samoa’s canneries to the local economy.

GOVERNOR'S MEETING

Asked to comment on any specific issues discussed during a meeting last Thursday with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Choe first pointed out that the “governor has been so helpful, he’s been wonderful in supporting Starkist."

He said one of the issues discussed was the minimum wage — with the next hike set for Sept. 30, 2015 — and a federal tax credit. He said the governor is still very committed in supporting StarKist Samoa.

Asked abut the impact on StarKist if the next minimum wage cannot be halted, Choe said, “obviously it will have some impact. However, having said that, we have strong support from the local leadership. And I’m confident that we will find a way to overcome the challenge  and still be successful in American Samoa.”

Responding to questions about the possibility that StarKist employees will move to Tri Marine International when the company opens its Samoa Tuna Processors Inc., in January, and if this had been discussed with the governor, Choe said, no.

“However, Tri Marine and StarKist have had a very strong partnership for years and we have a very good relationship,” he said. “Personally, I don’t think that’s going to be a huge issue because Tri Marine is our number one supplier, so we work closely.”

Regarding any planned company expansion, Choe said the problem StarKist Samoa faces is the lack of availability of land on island, which is an issue that was discussed with the governor. Choe also said that the company is still looking for land to build its cold storage facility, which “is a very important issue” for the company.

“We are still looking at different options but also the governor has assured us his commitment in helping us find that land. Hopefully we could find something and be able to expand our operations in American Samoa,” he said, and reiterated that “we want to expand our operations” but the limited land space is the challenge now faced by the cannery, which employs some 2,000 workers.

There was also discussion regarding the government owned Satala-based shipyard. It was noted that since early this year, Lolo has been looking into privatization of the shipyard. Asked if StarKist is interested in such an investment, Choe said, “we are talking to the governor, to see if it's something that we can work together on. However, there  is nothing definite at the moment.”

Choe was asked if he has concerns about the opening next year in Samoa of the San Diego-based Bumble Bee Food cannery, especially for the fact that the cannery will keep workers in Apia instead of coming here.

“The cannery industry is a very challenging industry with a lot of changes,” he said. “And that is another potential risk that we face,” he said — referring to Bumble Bee.

“However, I’m confident that with the great employees that we have... and the support from the local leadership... we will be able to overcome this challenge,” he said.

See tomorrow’s edition for more questions and issues raised in the news conference.