Norwegian salmon farming giant Cermaq is abandoning its controversial expansion into Nova Scotia.

On Thursday, the Mitsubishi Corp. subsidiary said it could not find suitable locations for the 15 to 20 farm sites it needed to justify a move into the province.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to locate enough sites at this time, and have made the decision to allow all of our options to lease to expire," David Kiemele, managing director for Cermaq Canada, said in a news release.

The decision comes one year after Kiemele and other officials from the company's Canadian headquarters in British Columbia unveiled the proposed expansion at a media event in Halifax.

The business case was based on annual production of 20,000 tonnes of farmed Atlantic salmon in open-net pens at six locations around Nova Scotia, and included a processing plant and hatchery.

The company said it would spend $400 to $500 million to reach full capacity over five years.

It also said it would not proceed without community support.

Linda Sams, left, Cermaq Canada's director of sustainable development, and David Kiemele, managing director of Cermaq Canada, at an event on April 3, 2019, in Dartmouth, N.S. (Paul Withers/CBC)

Instead, the proposal generated vocal opposition in communities where the province of Nova Scotia had awarded Cermaq an option to lease, a first step to select specific sites for fish farms prior to a full application.

Critics objected to pollution generated by fish farms, citing salmon feces and chemicals. Cermaq, which operates fish farms in British Columbia, said it strives to keep its fish and the environment healthy.

In the face of opposition, the province extended the option period — most recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We did hear opposition from some groups and regions, however; a shared path forward is, and always was our goal," Linda Sams, Cermaq Canada's sustainable development director, said in a release.

"We engaged with the intent of supporting, or benefiting, existing commercial fishing through shared opportunities, services, research and planning.

"We think it was a lost opportunity that we didn't get to have more in-depth conversations in some locations, but we would like to thank everyone who engaged with the intent to learn and share."

Opposition, but also support

Cermaq was originally awarded options to lease at St. Marys Bay in Digby County, eastern Guysborough County, Chedabucto Bay, and in the Isle Madame area in Richmond County.

The province later awarded Cermaq two more leases close to Halifax, in Mahone Bay and St. Margarets Bay.

The prospect of fish farms in Mahone and St. Margarets Bay triggered a firestorm of opposition, which included a sophisticated social media campaign and one-sided public meetings.

The company did receive support from Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq and their fishery leader, Chief Terry Paul, who said he was won over to fish farming after visiting Norway.

Norwegian salmon farming giant Cermaq is abandoning its controversial expansion into Nova Scotia, saying it could not find suitable locations for the 15 to 20 farm sites it needed to justify a move into the province. 2:04

"Well, I used to share those concerns, until I got educated myself on the industry," Paul told CBC News in February.

Cermaq specifically thanked the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs for the opportunity to "engage, share and learn."

The company said in the coming weeks it will wrap up the feasibility work and close its Guysborough office. All public engagement, including the community information advisor committees, will stop effective immediately.

Company kept its word

One opponent on Thursday thanked Cermaq for its decision.

"Often dealing with large corporations promises are made which aren't realized, but in this case they said if they weren't wanted they wouldn't come. And indeed that seems to be the case," said Geoff LeBoutillier, of the Twin Bays Coalition, a group formed to oppose salmon farming in St. Margarets Bay and Mahone Bay.

LeBoutillier was not surprised Cermaq did not find enough locations. He said the province has not evaluated physical conditions around the coast for suitability.

"They may well be right. Maybe there isn't the flushing rate, maybe the water gets too cold or too warm. It certainly would be very difficult to do here reasonably," LeBoutillier said. "But we're opposed to having open-net pens in the water. We think they should be on the land."

Meanwhile, Cermaq competitor Cooke Aquaculture said Thursday it is proceeding with its plans to expand in Nova Scotia.

The New Brunswick-based company operates 12 fish-farm sites in Nova Scotia and is seeking government approval to expand its Liverpool Bay site on the South Shore of the province.

"Our aim is to grow responsibly in Nova Scotia. And this means modest expansion, putting fish health and environmental sustainability at the forefront of our growth strategy," Joel Richardson, vice-president of public relations for Cooke Aquaculture, said in a release.

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