Nordics - Norway

1

Fishing and aquaculture

Wikborg Rein

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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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The combination of solid expertise within the sector's legislation, knowledge of the administration's national and regional expertise, understanding of the industry and accessibility.’

  • ‘Grunde Bruland - Impressive knowledge of the seafood industry and legislation.'

  • 'Martin Bryde - Unique understanding of the administration's practice of the legislation and its significance for practitioners in the industry.’

  • ‘Ability to use a wide range of competence in complex matters.'

  • 'Grunde Bruland is excellent.’

  • ‘Superior industry knowledge. Deep, diverse industry network with strong relationships.’

  • ‘Specialised knowledge about the industry and strong network within the industry and relevant authorities. Very dedicated team showing availability and quick response to our requests.’

  • ‘The company has several highly competent and dedicated lawyers such as Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp. Martin Bryde is a very dedicated lawyer and a strong discussion partner in complicated matters. Understands how our business works and knows our company well and has contributed to our success as a company.’

Key clients

  • Grieg Seafood ASA
  • SalMar Aker Ocean AS
  • Liegruppen Fiskeri AS
  • Norway Royal Salmon AS (NRS)
  • Sinkaberg-Hansen
  • Eide Fjordbruk and Tombre Fiskeanlegg
  • AS Bolaks

Work highlights

  • Advising Grieg Seafood ASA, Tombre Fiskeanlegg AS, Eidsfjord Sjøfarm AS, Lovundlaks AS, Emildsen Fisk AS and AS Bolaks on the restructuring of their business due to the new resource tax regime.
  • Successfully representing Eide Fjordbruk AS and Tombre Fiskeanlegg in an appeals court and Supreme Court lawsuit granting the clients a larger exception from the reduction in the traffic light system.
  • Assisting Salmar Aker Ocean AS with its efforts to establish offshore aquaculture at an industrial scale beyond the territorial waters of Norway.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp

Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp

Wikborg Rein

Heidi Ann is specialised in fisheries and aquaculture and has special experience in assisting fishing companies and aquaculture companies with complex regulatory issues. The advice to fisheries companies especially includes application processes in relation to succession of generations, as well as legal assessments of all regulatory issues related to such processes. Within aquaculture law she has special knowledge towards the exceptions within the Norwegian traffic light system. Heidi Ann has also advised aquaculture clients on issues related to the EU Animal Health Law and has therefore experience with regulatory issues related to listed fishing diseases. Heidi Ann was in 2022 and 2023 ranked as "Rising Star" within Legal500.

Leading individuals

Grunde Bruland

Grunde Bruland

Wikborg Rein

Grunde is head of the firm's Fisheries and aquaculture practice. He works closely with fishery and sea farming clients. Grunde is also head of the firm's Fisheries and Fish Farming law group. In addition, he is part of the Corporate law group, and works with acquisitions and capital transactions within maritime law, as well as general corporate law.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Grunde Bruland

Other key lawyers

Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp, Martin Bryde

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