Grieg denies Newfoundland pull-out report

The report by the station NTV last month quoted Brian Keating, the Mayor of Marystown, where the facility will be based, as saying so many red flags had been put up that “he did not have a great feeling” about the project.

The Mayor added that where there was smoke, there was usually fire, adding that concrete answers were needed from Grieg.

Now Grieg has hit back, saying it wanted to publicly correct the story that aired on NTV.

The company statement said: “Grieg Seafood NL values openness and we’re committed to sharing honest information with our employees, regulators, investors, the communities in which we operate, and media. It is important for us to publicly address misinformation circulating about our operations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The construction of our PSA [Post Smoltification] facility has faced a number of challenges. Most significant was the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both supply chain and in-person work restrictions.

“On December 23, 2024 Grieg Seafood NL updated employees and stakeholders on its decision to pause building works this winter and resume in spring 2025 when weather and temperature conditions are best suited for critical concrete work.”

The statement added: “During this time, the project will focus on optimising the further building process, based on cost and efficiency.

The PSA project delay will not impact our current production schedule, nor will it have any direct impact on Grieg Seafood NL freshwater employees. We look forward to continuing to work with the project’s contractor in spring 2025.”

On redundancy claims, Grieg said there have been no senior management layoffs at Grieg Seafood NL, and there are no plans for mass layoffs.

Any temporary layoffs related to the PSA construction pause are employees of the project contractor, it stressed.

Grieg went on: “Over the past year, we have transitioned from a construction and start-up to an operational fish farm. Like any business, Grieg Seafood NL adjusts its workforce to safely support its business goals. From 2022 to 2024, our number of full-time employees has grown from 103 to 111.”

On rumours of a sale, Grieg said it has been open about its search for a potential partner in Canada, and its position on that has not changed.

“When a partnership is found, or in the event that an offer to purchase is received, information will be shared with employees and stakeholders. Investors and partnerships are normal business for publicly-traded companies.”