Grieg Seafood said it did not approve Cermaq's email to Norwegian authorities asking them to intervene in Canada's netpen phase-out plan, which was sent out on behalf of Cermaq, Grieg and Mowi.

Prior to sending the email, Cermaq asked Grieg Seafood if it would like to attend a meeting with Norwegian authorities to discuss the situation in British Columbia. Despite disagreeing with the concept, Grieg Seafood agreed to attend.

"We do not consider it natural for the Norwegian authorities to intervene in what is a Canadian matter and we are uncertain about what we would gain from such a meeting," Grieg Seafood Communications Manager Kristina Furnes told IntraFish.

"The wording of the correspondence is Cermaq's, and does not reflect our view of the actual situation."

Mowi was also not familiar with the phrasing of the Cermaq email, Mowi Communications Director Ola Helge Hjetland told IntraFish.

"This letter is from the pen of Cermaq," Hjetland said. "When it comes to any new legislation in Canada, we naturally try to influence this being a major player in the area."

Grieg is committed to working with Canadian authorities, First Nations and other players in the British Columbia aquaculture development, Furnes said.

"We are also pleased that the government wants to have its own aquaculture law in place, and is a strong supporter of the fact that the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights is now being implemented in BC," Furnes said.

"This means greater self-determination over their own territory for the indigenous peoples of the province."