Closed Tuna Cannery May Be Reopened

A Carmel businessman may revive San Diego’s ailing tuna industry by reopening a former cannery here.

William Durney, owner of Durney Vineyards in Carmel, has visited San Diego a few times to discuss the possibility of opening the cannery, according to August Felando, the president of the San Diego-based American Tunaboat Assn. Durney also is owner of the Carnation Seafood label and a cannery in Africa.

Durney declined to say what his plans are, and Felando cautioned against being overly optimistic that the winery owner will come to town.

Durney “did talk with us, and we hope he’s able to make it,” Felando said Saturday. “He’s been in the tuna business a long time. We’ve offered anything to . . . help further his plans.”

Felando added: “I just don’t want to create any false hopes in people. I hope he goes through with it, but he’s the only one who knows what he’ll do.”

Felando estimated that 10,000 San Diegans suffered a “direct or indirect” blow to their employment or income when the Bumble Bee and Van Camp canneries closed in recent years.

Durney couldn’t be reached by telephone over the weekend. A woman who identified herself as his housekeeper said, “He’s been badgered (by the media) and would like the weekend off.”

The waning fortunes of the California tuna industry hit the state hard, Felando said. “I don’t think people realize the tremendous loss to the state. The U.S. consumer is more dependent on foreign sources (of tuna) now.”