The Norwegian Food Safety Authority rejected salmon farming giant Cermaq's higher lice limit applications at five locations in Finnmark at the height of the algal bloom.
The authority said that the company must have a sealice contingency plan and cannot have a special reason for exemption.
The company applied for its operations in Elvevika, Rivarbukt, Hamnefjord, Tuvan and Jernelva in Finnmark, fearing treatment of fish at lower temperatures could disrupt animal welfare, Communication Advisor Astrid Aam told IntraFish.
Based on recent regulations set in January this year, the company cannot use medicated baths to treat sealice at sites close to spawning fishing grounds for cod or shrimp.
