SAN DIEGO, Calif.,--Aug 1--PRNewswire-AsiaNet Chicken of the Sea International announced today the closing of its California Packing (Calpac) cannery in San Pedro, California on or about October 1, 2001. The decision to close Calpac is a result of the Company's efforts to streamline operations to meet the changing market conditions and to maximize the dynamic global raw material / finished goods supply environment in the industry. "We determined that it was no longer feasible to operate Calpac as a seafood cannery in view of world competition and decreased tuna raw material supplies available in San Pedro," said Dennis Mussell, president and chief executive officer of Chicken of the Sea International. Chicken of the Sea processes about 100 tons of tuna and salmon daily at the cannery. The San Diego-based company will continue to operate a large distribution center at the site and continue production of the new Tuna Salad Kits. Approximately two hundred fifty employees will be permanently laid off. Chicken of the Sea is wholly owned by Thai Union Frozen Products, PCL, which is one of the largest tuna processors in the world. The Bangkok-based seafood processor and marketer purchased 100 percent of Chicken of the Sea International this past January solidifying its position as a leading tuna processing company marketing tuna and other seafood products to the global market place. With annual sales exceeding $400 million, Chicken of the Sea International is a seafood category leader providing a variety of canned seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, mackerel and sardines. The Chicken of the Sea(R) brand and famous Mermaid icon are among the most recognized brands in America. Additional brands marketed by the company include Genova(R), Pacific Pearl(R), Jonah(R) and 3-Diamonds(R). More information can be obtained by visiting the company's Web site at http://www.chickenofthesea.com. Thai Union was established in 1977 to produce canned tuna for export worldwide. Thai Union has attributed its success to continuous quality improvements and an unyielding desire to satisfy customers needs. More information on Thai Union can be obtained by visiting the company's Web site at http://www.thaiunion.co.th SOURCE: Chicken of the Sea International CONTACT: Adam Behar or Tricia Plummer, +1-619-296-0605, [email protected], for Chicken of the Sea International Web site: http://www.chickenofthesea.com