Talley's Ltd chief executive Tony Hazlett confirmed a worker was fatally injured at its Nelson wharf today.
Police said the person was located in a critical condition after a workplace incident shortly before 1pm and CPR was commenced, but they were unable to be revived.
St John was notified at 12.35pm and sent an ambulance and three rapid response vehicles to the incident.
Police are still working to notify the next of kin.
Inquiries were ongoing and the death would be referred to the Coroner.
Hazlett said the company was extremely saddened by the death and sent its deepest condolences to the person's family.
It was providing the family and its employees with support.
Talley's runs two fishing fleets - small inshore boats that fish New Zealand's coastlines out of Port Motueka, Nelson, Westport and Timaru, and its large deep sea fleet, Amaltal, which also operates out of Port Nelson.
It has processing facilities at both ports.
Hazlett said the company was working with police and Maritime NZ, who are investigating the incident.
