October 14th, 2016 — One of the two tuna canning companies operating in American Samoa announced Thursday it plans to suspend production in December.

In a statement, Bellevue, Washington-based Tri Marine says it will end production indefinitely at its Samoa Tuna Processors cannery plant.

Tri Marine told its 800 employees of the plan Thursday. The company didn’t specify how many will be affected.

American Samoa does not have labor unions, and most employees are paid minimum wage. The company said economic difficulties spurred the decision.

“The challenging economics of canning tuna in American Samoa combined with external factors facing STP make Tri Marine’s private-label focused business model for operating the plant economically unsustainable,” the company said in a statement. The company is considering alternatives for the plant, including an outright sale. The company pumped $70 million into the plant before it opened in January 2015.

“This is an incredibly difficult decision and one we make with a great deal of reluctance,” said Tri Marine Chief Executive Officer Renato Curto in a statement. “Our hearts go out to STP’s employees, suppliers, service providers and everyone else who depends on STP’s operations.”

Read the full story from the Associated Press at The New Jersey Herald