Fisheries and aquaculture

Overview

Fisheries, and increasingly aquaculture, is a vital resource and a major contributor to New Zealand's economic growth. 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.  Our team can provide the specialist advice you need on all these issues.

We have 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 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, and related resource management issues.

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 made recommendations to the Ministers that led to three new marine reserves.



Work highlights

Advising the Board of Inquiry

on the NZ King Salmon aquaculture case, including appearing in the Supreme Court

Advising the Crown and local authorities

on a wide range of Resource Management Act issues relating to aquaculture

Advising the Crown

on the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act

Acting for the Crown

on the preparation of the Aquaculture Reforms in 2004 and 2011 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


Our team

David Allen

Partner, Wellington

David specialises in all aspects of resource management, environmental and natural resources law and local government law…

Email David Allen

David Randal

Partner, Wellington

David specialises in resource management, environmental and Māori law. …

Email David Randal

Paul Beverley

Partner, Wellington

Paul specialises in public law, Māori/Treaty of Waitangi law, Treaty settlements, conservation law and resource management law.…

Email Paul Beverley