A vital resource

Issues that arise from fisheries and aquaculture can be broad - from specific fishing and resource management legal issues to commercial issues such as security and financing.  Buddle Findlay can provide the specialist advice you need on all these issues.

Clients and services

Buddle Findlay has considerable expertise on all aspects of fisheries legislation and aquaculture law.  Our lawyers advised the government on several reforms to the Fisheries Act and the recent significant changes to aquaculture law.  We have acted for the Ministry of Fisheries and a range of fishing companies on many fisheries issues.

We advise clients on the public law, resource management, commercial and litigation aspects of fisheries issues, including:

  • Fisheries and aquaculture laws and their application, including rules relating to quota
  • Permitting and registration of vessels
  • Security and financing arrangements for fishing companies
  • Litigation affecting fishing interests
  • Treaty of Waitangi issues as they relate to fisheries
  • Related resource management issues.

Recent work

  • Paul Beverley, leader of our national resource management team, was appointed by the Ministers of Fisheries and of Conservation to chair the Subantarctic Marine Protection Planning Forum which has recently reported to Ministers
  • Advising the Crown on the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act
  • Defending successfully Japanese-based Maruha, one of the largest international fishing companies, on criminal charges laid against it under the Fisheries Act 1996 relating to alleged reporting offences involving conversion factors
  • Acting for the Crown on the preparation of the Aquaculture Reforms in 2004 involving substantial amendments to the Resource Management Act and Fisheries Act
  • Advising the Crown on the implementation and review of the aquaculture legislation
  • Appearing in the Environment Court and High Court on a number of aquaculture cases
  • Preparing a report for the Crown’s Aquaculture Implementation Team on the relationship between aquaculture and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
  • Securing Overseas Investment Office approval for an overseas-controlled fishing company to hold quota
  • Acting for one of the participants in a significant off-shore Canterbury marine farm
  • Advising the Crown on a number of issues relating to customary fisheries regulations
  • Advising the Crown on fisheries issues in the context of Treaty settlements and foreshore and seabed negotiations

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