Tuna cannery penalised

AMERICAN SAMOA – American Samoa tuna cannery StarKist has been handed a multi-million penalty by a US federal court.

This comes after a complaint by the governments of the United States and American Samoa against the US-based company.

The plaintiffs had accused the cannery of violating environmental laws. Under the court ruling the company is not required to admit any liability but it is required to take action to ensure it complies with federal and local environmental laws.

The company is to pay US$6.5 million in a civil penalty, with $2.6 million going to American Samoa and the balance to the federal government. In addition, the company will provide $88,000 in emergency equipment for local first responders to chemical spills.