Skip to main content

Our story

With fishing operations in New Zealand, Australia and Mauritius, Sealord is one of the largest seafood companies in the Southern Hemisphere.

Encompassing both sustainable deep-sea fishing and finfish aquaculture operations, Sealord employs more than 1,000 people in New Zealand and 240 people overseas.

Specialising in fishing, processing, distribution and marketing, Sealord exports 90% of our catch in various frozen formats to 40 countries.

Sealord’s people are passionate about fishing, innovation, delicious seafood and the wellbeing of each other and the environment through Sealord’s value-based culture.

One of the largest quota holders in New Zealand harvesting sustainable seafood, Sealord also owns Petuna Aquaculture and Sealord King Reef in Australia.

Established in Nelson, New Zealand more than 60 years ago, today Sealord is equally owned by Māori through Moana New Zealand, and global seafood company Nissui Corporation (Nissui).

Our heritage

We trace our legendary beginnings to our great ancestor Maui, when from the depths of the Tangaroa he pulled the giant fish Te Ika a Maui aboard his waka. Ever since people of this land have set out on the ocean to bring food from the sea home for our people.

As the current generation of a long and remarkable line of pioneering New Zealanders, today Sealord accepts the challenge and responsibility of guardianship of our wealthy natural ocean resource, so that it remains abundant and available for those who follow us. We understand that we harvest a crucial natural resource and never forget the need to do it responsibly to ensure a healthy ocean for future generations.

Our affinity with the Tangata Whenua and the seas that bind us all together is presented in the Sealord Logo.

Sea, ocean blue – Moana
Resilient and hardy – Paua
Spirit of adventure – Toropapa
Growth and prosperity – Koru
Eye of Sealord – Whatu o Tangaroa
Spiky, structured and organised – Kotaratara

Back to top