StarKist

On Friday, the defendant, Chanel Lafua apologised to the families of the four men whose lives were abruptly ended in the tragic accident just after midnight on December 17.

Inside the courtroom were wives and children of the deceased: Faasaulala Ahoni, Ierome Vili, Alatina Faleasi and Taumaoe Olive.

Vili said it's been three years since the tragedy, and this was the first time she's heard the defendant.

American Samoa in January re-instated a guest worker scheme to help StarKist Samoa, the territory's largest private employer.

The governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, said at the time he had asked the company to prioritise American Samoa nationals when recruiting.

But last week StarKist announced it was recruiting 200 Samoans as fish cleaners under the guest worker scheme.

A senior official with the company, Taotasi Archie Soliai, said there was little interest in the jobs locally.

The temporary shutdown is for upgrades and the installation of new equipment which the company says will increase efficiencies at the plant.

Last month Starkist closed for a week due to a shortage of fish.

The company is the largest private employer in the territory with some 2000 workers.

Photo: Supplied