A commercial fishing operator says a proposal to ban shark finning isn't needed in New Zealand waters because fins are generally taken from sharks killed for their meat.
The Government plans to bring in a ban on sharks being killed solely for their fins, introducing it in different fisheries gradually over two years from next October.
Egmont Seafoods, which exports sharkmeat to Australia, says fins are a valuable byproduct.
Managing director Keith Mawson says about 90% of New Zealand shark fins are procured by companies like his and it is uneconomic to kill sharks just for their fins.
The Federation of Commercial Fishermen is backing the proposed ban.
