STP Ready to Receive Fresh Tuna

Pago Pago, American Samoa - A spokesperson for Samoa Tuna Processors (STP), the cannery formerly owned by Chicken of the Sea, announced in March 2011 that the facility is ready for processing fresh tuna for shipment by air freight to major markets, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Tri Marine.

Meanwhile, the cannery is undergoing a major renovation which will expand the plants range of tuna products while improving operating efficiencies and capacities.  The renovation is expected to be completed in 2012.  

Tri Marine has contracted the design and engineering work required by the renovation to Peter Swan Group of New Zealand.  Peter Swan was on island last week to present the plans to Tri Marine's Vice President of Production Dan Sullivan and Project Manager Ian Boatwood.

 "The plant will be state of the art" said Mr. Sullivan. "We are investing in energy efficiency, resource conservation, additional storage capacity, improved fish handling and processing systems, as well as new processes, among other things."

Tri Marine had previously announced that it would add fresh and frozen fish processing capability to the plant.  STP has set aside part of the existing plant for receiving and packing fresh fish.  That part of the plant is not scheduled for renovation until later in the year when the new fresh and frozen processing facility will be completed.

Mr. Sullivan continued, "The fresh tuna packing capacity of STP is especially for the local fishing boats, including the alias.  We are ready to pack and ship fresh tuna just as soon as the boats are ready to land it.  It would have been easier for us to wait until completion of the entire renovation, but we decided to prioritize the fresh packing capability of the plant to help the boats."
STP is encouraging boats to bring the highest quality tuna and mahi mahi to establish the best possible reputation for the fresh fish shipped by STP from Pago Pago.  STP plans to have ice available for supply to local boats wanting to fish for STP as soon as possible.

Samoa Tuna Processor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tri Marine Group of Companies.  Tri Marine's business includes fishing, procurement, processing and trading of tuna and other seafood products. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, Tri Marine has offices in 14 countries with 10 processing plants located strategically around the world.   Its owned fleet of 14 tuna purse seiners operates mostly in the Western Pacific.   Tri Marine was founded in Singapore in 1971. Since then it has grown to be one of the largest tuna supply companies in the world and it provides an efficient, cost effective and flexible supply chain solution for its customers. Tri Marine serves famous brands, processing plants and fishing companies.