Tri Marine International says leasing its Samoa Tuna Processors plant to StarKist is the best use of the facility.
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Starkist plans to lease the plant for ten years.
Tri Marine's CEO Joe Hamby said since January last year they had been trying to find a way to restart processing at the plant and hire back the nearly 200 workers who lost their jobs when the cannery closed.
Mr Hamby said despite their efforts, they couldn't reopen and the plant was offered for sale.
He said StarKist generously offered to lease the plant.
Mr Hamby said Tri Marine agreed in the interest of generating jobs and making the local tuna industry stronger.
