Hailed by clients for its ‘very extensive’ industry knowledge, the fisheries and aquaculture team at Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS acts for an impressive roster of high-profile clients across the sector, including industry bodies, government ministries, and leading corporations. Bjørn Sørgård and Ida Espolin Johnson jointly oversee the practice; Sørgård advises commercial parties and trade associations on corporate and regulatory matters, while Johnson takes point on contentious matters. The team has recently seen an increase in instructions relating to the proposed new ground rent tax for the aquaculture industry as well as an uptick in transactional mandates. In 2023, the team also strengthened its west coast offering with the arrival of aquaculture expert Torbjørn Gjelsvik, who splits his time between Bergen and Oslo.

With several offices along the Norwegian coast, SANDS’ full-service and specialised fishing and aquaculture team maintains a market-leading offering, advising leading industry players on the full range of regulatory, transactional and contentious work in the sector. Regulatory advice is a particular strength of the team, and practice head Halfdan Mellbye has a solid track record advising on regulatory frameworks relating to fisheries and fish farming, including environmental issues and sales regulations, from the Bergen office. Ole-Martin Lund Andreassen in Tromsø handles coastal zone planning and aquaculture concessions work for cod farming clients. Transactional mandates are handled by Eirik Edvardsen, while Frode Henning Antonsen is hailed by clients as ‘supremely the best’ in industry-related construction matters; both are based in Trondheim.

With offices in Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø and Trondheim, Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig is well-placed to serve seafood, aquaculture, and fisheries sector clients, both domestic and international, on all matters related to the industry. Led by seasoned practitioner Arthur Duus in Bergen, the group’s expertise spans regulatory, contentious and corporate advisory work; Duus works mostly on contracts, corporate, and regulatory matters.

Fielding a ‘highly skilled‘, large and cross-disciplinary team with extensive industry experience, Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS leverages its strength across several legal disciplines to provide a full-service offering that stands out for its ability to handle high-value and complex contentious and non-contentious mandates. Mons Alfred Paulsen oversees the group and has extensive experience advising clients on corporate and tax matters relating to the industry, with a recent area of focus being the new proposed ground rent tax. Trond Hatland takes point on contentious mandates, while Rune Ulriksen Steinsland is also recommended as the key contact for contracts, project developments, and financing mandates.

Noted for its ‘superior industry knowledge’, Wikborg Rein remains a market-leading presence in the fisheries and aquaculture industry. Counting some of Norway’s largest seafood companies among its impressive roster of clients, the ‘very dedicated‘ team has particular strength in complex regulatory issues and is routinely instructed to advise on licensing issues, emerging regulations, and project development work; Martin Bryde is a key contact here. Under the leadership of regulatory expert Grunde Bruland, the team also works closely with the firm’s litigation and M&A departments to advise on seafood transactions and disputes. At associate level, the ‘highly competent and dedicated’ Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp is also recommended.

Drawing on the firm’s strength in transactional work, BAHR’s practice stands out for its solid track record in advising on high-value mergers and transactions in the industry. Lisa Marie Opdahl leads the group and is the key contact for contractual and regulatory matters, including framework regulations and administrative law matters. Stig Engelhart acts for global and domestic salmon farming companies, handling M&A and corporate matters. Silje Remøy joined the team from an in-house position in August 2023, while Ingvild Halsnes attracts praise for her ‘highly relevant and valuable‘ industry expertise.

Hailed by clients for its ‘extensive’ industry expertise and insight, Advokatfirmaet Schjødt recently expanded its west coast offering. Oslo-based Tore Fjørtoft leads the practice, and takes point on administrative and corporate matters.

Working closely with the firm’s M&A and litigation departments, Arntzen de Besche has particular strength in aquaculture and fishery sector acquisitions, investments, and share purchases. The group also handles large-scale offshore construction projects as well as contentious matters, an area of significant recent activity for the team. Ole Skeidsvoll Moe and Anders Dyrseth jointly head the practice from the firm’s Trondheim office.

Under the leadership of the ‘extraordinary’  Rode S. Rønning-Hansen, Kvale Advokatfirma DA routinely handles the full spectrum of issues relating to the industry from its offices in Oslo, Tromsø and Ålesund. Henrik Grung is the key name for corporate and M&A matters, while Monica Gjerde Sperre handles aquaculture and fishery-related shipping and maritime matters. Senior associate Jørgen Blix Nicolaysen is also recommended for regulatory frameworks relating to wild-caught fish.

Svein-Helge Hanken leads the aquaculture and fisheries practice at Wiersholm, which maintains a strong track record in advising on high-value transactions in the industry. The interdisciplinary team also has notable experience handling operational issues, as well as framework conditions and tax matters. Also in the core group is Harald Hellebust, who clients single out for his ‘invaluable’ expertise. Erik Staurset Andresen and Sigrid Ratvik Østvik joined the practice from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt in 2024.