Product Type: Fisheries – shark
Stage: Production & Harvesting
Problem: Illegal finning and wasteful discard of shark body by commercial fishers in New Zealand
Solution: Developing a ban on shark finning with input from private industry

1. Engaging stakeholders: The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) consulted with fisheries stakeholders and the public to develop approaches for implementing a ban on shark finning. Government and industry worked to eliminate shark finning by developing industry opportunities for shark body utilization. This prevents discard of shark bodies and increases the range of reasons for harvesting sharks. Waste of shark harvest is reduced through changes in public awareness and developments in private industry spurred by government.