Marine Harvest said Monday it remains in discussions with both "selected shareholders" of Cermaq and the company itself in its attempt to launch an offer for all outstanding shares in Cermaq, but cautioned that it would launch its original offer for the company "if no material progress is made shortly."

Marine Harvest's initial $1.7 billion (€1.3 billion) on Apr. 30 was contingent on Cermaq shareholders rejecting the acquisition of Peruvian fishmeal and oil producer Copeinca, which they did last Tuesday.

Marine Harvest has now begun the work of wooing the Norwegian government and board members to vote in favor of merging the two companies, work that remains challenging in the wake of a stinging loss for Cermaq's management.

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