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| Established 1996
Since 1996, Big Blue has been part of Nelson’s boating, fishing, and diving community.
Nearly three decades on, we’re proud to be the region’s longest-running dive and fishing retail store and service centre — built on knowledge, reliability, and straight-up good service.
We’ve grown with the industry. We’ve tested the gear. We’ve fished the tides. And we’ve stood behind what we sell.
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A True Local Store
Big Blue is 100% locally owned.
No corporate head office. No generic advice.
We fish Tasman Bay. We dive the local reefs. We know D’Urville, the Sounds, the West Coast missions, and the early-morning ramp rush.
When you walk in, you’re talking to people who use the same gear in the same waters.
That matters.
Why We Exist
We exist for one simple reason:
To make your time on the water better.
Better advice.
Better gear.
Better preparation.
Whether you’re chasing kingfish, slow jigging snapper, diving for crays, or filling tanks before a weekend mission — we’re here to make sure you’re set up properly.
Because good days on the water don’t happen by accident.
Part of the Community
For nearly 30 years, Big Blue has supported local anglers, divers, clubs, and events.
We’re not just a retail store — we’re part of the community that lives and breathes the ocean.
And we’re proud of that.
Mario Alessi
Mario Alessi
Owner / Operator | SSI Master Instructor | Senior Service Technician
Mario Alessi is the Owner and Operator of Big Blue Dive and Fish and a highly respected SSI Master Instructor with nearly three decades of hands-on experience in the diving and fishing industry.
As a fully qualified Senior Service Technician, Mario is certified to service and maintain equipment from the world’s leading brands, including:
Aqualung, Apeks, Beuchat, Cressi, Mares, Atlantis, U.S. Divers, Scubapro, Sherwood, Atomic Aquatics, Genesis, and Tusa.
He is also a Certified Air Filler, ensuring the highest standards of safety, accuracy, and equipment performance for every customer.
Mario’s depth of knowledge, commitment to quality, and genuine passion for the ocean have made him a trusted specialist within the diving community. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced diver, you can be confident you’re in expert hands.
Mark Cotton
Manager | SSI Master Instructor | TDI & SDI Instructor | Senior Service Technician | Shimano Pro Staff
Mark Cotton is the Manager at [Your Business Name] and a highly qualified instructor with extensive experience across both recreational and technical diving.
Mark is an SSI Master Instructor, TDI Technical Diving Instructor, and SDI Instructor, with specialist certifications in:
Nitrox, Mixed Gas, Rebreathers, Cave, Wreck, Deep, and Decompression (Deco) Diving.
He is also a fully certified Senior Service Technician, authorised to service and maintain equipment from the world’s leading brands, including:
Aqualung, Apeks, Beuchat, Cressi, Mares, Atlantis, U.S. Divers, Scubapro, Sherwood, Atomic Aquatics, Genesis, and Tusa.
Mark is a Certified Air Filler, ensuring the highest standards of safety, accuracy, and equipment performance.
Outside of diving, Mark is a keen and highly experienced fisherman, a proud Shimano Pro Staff member, and the creator of the popular YouTube fishing series “The Fishing Log.” His on-the-water experience further strengthens his depth of knowledge across both fishing and marine environments.
Mark is known for his professionalism, calm leadership, and passion for both above and below the surface, making him a trusted expert for customers at every level.
Lachlan Greenaway
Retail & Support Team
Lachlan Greenaway joined Big Blue Dive and Fish two years ago and works part-time during school and the Christmas holidays. Although new to the industry, Lachlan brings a genuine passion for the water, a strong work ethic, and an eagerness to learn.
With his uncle being Mark Cotton, Lachlan regularly gets out on the water fishing and is gaining valuable real-world experience alongside both Mark and Mario Alessi. Under their guidance, he is building a solid foundation of knowledge across fishing, diving, and marine equipment.
Lachlan is friendly, reliable, and always keen to help customers with enthusiasm and respect. His growing skills, positive attitude, and love for the outdoors make him a valued part of the team and an exciting young talent for the future.
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