Oceanlaw - Leading Maritime, Fisheries & Aquaculture Law Firm

Oceanlaw New Zealand is the only dedicated marine-based law practice in the South Pacific, specialising exclusively in maritime, fisheries, and aquaculture law. Based in Nelson, New Zealand's largest fishing port, the firm provides expert legal advice and support to the fishing, aquaculture, primary sector, and maritime industries both domestically and internationally. The firm adopts a proactive philosophy, encouraging clients to seek advice before problems arise, and draws on extensive expertise, international contacts, and strategic alliances to offer knowledgeable and lateral approaches tailored to the relevant industry.

The firm's comprehensive services span multiple specialist areas including fisheries law (commercial, defence, and civil litigation), maritime and shipping law (both "wet" and "dry" aspects), international trade law, aquaculture law, resource management and environmental law, and Māori fisheries and aquaculture. Oceanlaw's practitioners are uniquely qualified to advise on all general, commercial, and litigation issues arising in these specialist fields, with particular expertise in vessel arrests, marine enquiries, pollution incidents, cargo disputes, vessel sale and purchase, and complex fisheries prosecutions.

The firm has established itself as the leading fisheries defence practice in the South Pacific, with extensive experience in some of the most complex and serious fisheries prosecutions ever undertaken in the region. Their civil litigation team has successfully reviewed government and ministry policies, administrative decisions, and regulations, representing clients at parliamentary and state service enquiries, administrative tribunals, and ministry review panels.