Mexico, Great White Shark
(Carcharodon Carcharias)
A study released this week shows that critically endangered sharks are being sold as generically labeled “shark meat” in the United States.
A group of researchers published their findings in Frontiers in Marine Science after genetically testing 29 different samples of shark products purchased in the U.S.
The results of their DNA tests showed that three critically endangered species of shark (great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, and tope) were among the sampled meats.
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature maintains a list of critically endangered species from around the world. Their research shows that fishing has caused a significant decline in worldwide shark populations and “one-third of shark species are threatened with extinction and designated as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable.”
The authors of the study concluded that “nearly all” shark meat sold in the United States is ambiguously labeled or outright mislabeled for sale.
The value of sharks in the environment can sometimes be misunderstood. Earlier this year, meteorologist Sara Tonks produced a series of videos exploring the sometimes complicated and always fascinating relationship between sharks and the weather.