29 Oct 2018

American Samoa company plans to export local fish

9:33 am on 29 October 2018

A new company in American Samoa says it plans to export local fish for off-island markets.

Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel.

Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson

The Islands Fisheries Company is said to be negotiating a lease agreement with the territory's government to use a market in Fagatogo.

It will box fish there for export.

The company said it will buy species from local boats, creating an economic opportunity for local fishers.

However, it acknowledged there were several challenges - including limited freight flights and a lack of cold storage on local fishing boats.