A disturbing new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science has revealed that endangered sharks are being sold, often unknowingly, to consumers across the United States. Despite international protections, shark meat from at-risk species continues to be widely available in grocery stores, seafood markets, and online platforms.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tested 30 shark meat products and found that 31% came from endangered or critically endangered species, including the great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead. Even more troubling, 93% were sold under the generic label “shark,” concealing the true species from consumers.
Using DNA barcoding, the team identified 29 of the 30 samples. One product sold as blacktip shark turned out to be endangered shortfin mako, a clear case of mislabeling. Only one sample was honestly labeled.
Sharks are vital to ocean health. As apex predators, they maintain balance in marine ecosystems by regulating species throughout the food chain. Yet, since the 1970s, shark populations have plummeted by more than 70%, driven by overfishing, finning, habitat loss, and pollution.
Despite efforts to regulate the trade, loopholes and vague labeling practices persist. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lists 74 shark species as at risk, yet enforcement remains weak when products reach the shelves without clear labeling.
The study also highlights a health threat to humans: several of the shark species found in U.S. markets contain dangerous levels of mercury, arsenic, and methylmercury — toxins known to damage the brain, central nervous system, and fetal development.
Sold for as little as $6.56 per kilogram, shark meat allows unknowing buyers to unintentionally contribute to the decline of these ancient marine species.
Help protect sharks by saying no to shark products and raising awareness about their vital role in keeping our oceans healthy and alive.
Sharks have survived for over 450 million years, but without urgent action, we could lose them, along with the vital ecosystems they protect, within decades.
