Firm invests K7mil to produce pouch tuna

By GYNNIE KERO
WEWAK based South Seas Tuna Corporation (SSTC) Limited says it has invested K7 million in equipment for producing pouch tuna products.
Pouch product is shelf stable like canned tuna and does not require refrigeration until opened.
According to SSTC managing director Mike McCulley, the majority of the products would be exported to overseas markets.
“We have invested in excess of K7 million for the equipment,” McCullery said.
“We are projecting a startup of the line late in the second quarter.
“We estimate this will increase through put from 130 tonnes per day to 160 tonnes per day and add an estimated 500 additional staff.
“The majority will be exported and destined for ‘mass feeding’ clients such as school cafeterias, hospitals, airlines, military, fast food chains and others.
“These will be large 3kg to 7 kg pouches.
“We are also hopeful we will be producing retail pouches around the 185-gram size, for local sales.”
Situated in Wewak, East Sepik, SSTC produces two products from the tuna, the export frozen pre-cooked tuna loins and flakes, fishmeal and crude tuna fish oil with skipjack, yellow fin and big eye as the major species processed.
The complex is composed of the main processing plant, cold storage, power plant, steam plant, wastewater treatment plant, fishmeal plant, laboratories (sensory, chemistry and microbiology), store rooms and warehouses, administrative offices, and staff facilities (canteen, ablution/toilets, lockers).