American Samoa is to ban the practice of shark finning.

Radio New Zealand reports American Samoa's governor, Togiola Tulafono, has issued an order prohibiting the landing or processing of shark fins brought in without a corresponding carcass.

Mr. Togiola says preservation of the territory's marine resources, including healthy and sustainable fish and shark populations, should be a priority.

Shark finning involves cutting the fins from a shark and discarding the body at sea.

The fins are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries.