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“LET’S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT”

Dear Editor,

 

Your March 21, 2013 article “Update: Vessel owner fined for illegally manning U.S. Flag Vessels,” names Star-Kist, Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee and FCF Fishery Co. as owners of South Pacific Tuna Corporation (SPTC). This statement is not true, as none of these companies have any involvement in the ownership. I, however, am one of the U.S. majority owners — and I would like to publicly apologize to each of these fine organizations for this error.

 

In 2008, the US Distant Water Tuna Fleet was facing extinction and had been reduced to nine vessels — not 14 as reported. Thankfully, Congressman Faleomavaega understood the importance of the fleet for Samoa and need for revitalization. At that time the owners of the Global fleet made a promise to the Congressman that still stands today: If Samoa requires fish we will make sure our fleet delivers.

 

Contrary to your reporting, the bill introduced by the Congressman (HR 3669) did not reward these vessels with access to the US EEZ as he was very sensitive to the concerns of the local fleet as well was the then Governor Togiola Tulafono, insisting that under his bill no tuna purse seine fishing would not be allowed in the US EEZ’s but also around the Territorial EEZ’s of AS, Guam and CNMI. We also worked closely with other US Congressional Members in the Senate and House, Commerce Department, State Department, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Coast Guard, and many involved in US Labor to ensure that the legislation for the fleet would comply with critical regulations.

 

Today, Samoa stands proud as result of the resurgence of the US Fleet with expanding production facilities, increased canning capacities, creation of frozen production and development of services to all stakeholders in the Inland. Both of the Island’s primary companies, Star-Kist and Tri-Marine are a proud testament with strong commitments that will only continue to grow. Of course the Governor also played a key role in support working  with the Congressman’s efforts in Washington.

 

While I do not always agree with Congressman Eni, I highly respect and appreciate his contributions to the US Tuna Industry in the Pacific region and commitment to the people of the Territory of Samoa. It has given all of us time to grow a future. Only thru working together can we ensure a presence in fisheries that is the life blood to all in Pacific Islands.

 

Sincerely

J. Douglas Hines, Partner and Owner

Ocean Global, LLC

Sea Global, LLC

 

(Editor’s Note: In preparing last week’s story, Samoa News was unable to find any ownership information on the South Pacific Tuna Corporation’s website beyond a 2007 photo of one of the founders, David G. Burney with Congressman Faleomavaega Eni and another photo of SPTC President Max Chou with board members Doug Hines and W.H. Lee.

 

Samoa News obtained the ownership information we used in the story from the blog site ‘Campaign for Eco-safe Tuna’ where they say “according to Cong. Faleomavaega and the company’s former CEO, Joe Munoz, South Pacific Tuna Corporation is co-owned by StarKist, Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee and Taiwan’s FCF Fishery Co.”

 

After further investigation it would be more accurate for the blog and Samoa News to say some SPTC directors were involved in lobbying for those companies and/or the management of those companies. Former CEO Munoz served as President and CEO of Van Camp Seafood Company (1988-1992) makers of Chicken of the Sea. Founder Burney (now deceased) served for 30 years as the tuna industry's representative in Washington, D.C. Board member Hines served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC, Connors Bros. Limited and Connors CL GP Limited.)