A lemon shark with its fins illegally chopped off has been found washed up on a Darwin beach.
Local resident and shorebird researcher Amanda Lilleyman found the 1.5 to 2 metre shark on Lee Point beach near Buffalo Creek.
"It had been washed in by the tide and its fins had all been removed, they were cut off," she said.
"Shark finning is a huge conservation issue internationally, there's a big trade for it, so to see it close to home, it's a big shock.
"It's very sad and horrible to see. I didn't think it happened here in Darwin."
An NT Fisheries spokesman said the carcass was most likely a lemon shark, common in Top End waters.
"The practice of cutting the fins off a live shark and throwing the carcass back in the water (shark finning) is illegal in the Northern Territory and commercial fishers must land the whole shark," the spokesperson said.
"We encourage fishers to use all parts of their catch to make best use of our marine resources, or to practice catch and release where practical for unwanted species."
Amateur Fishermen's Association NT chief executive David Ciaravolo said the find was unusual.
"It's not something I've heard of happening before, it's a concern to see," he said.
"Typically where we have seen incidences of sharks being finned, it's been something that's been part of a larger operation or a larger system, rather than an isolated incident."
Mr Ciaravolo said although information about the shark's origins was "sketchy", lemon sharks were not a typical target for recreational fishers.
"The removal of fins as well as bleeding a shark is part of preparation for food," he said.
"The fact that the shark doesn't appear to be cut or gutted seems to indicate something else has gone here."
The incident has been referred to NT water police for investigation.
Shark fins are commonly used in Asia for shark fin soup.
