Early last year, we talked about how shark meat trade far outstrips that of shark fin in terms of volume. The global conversation on shark fishing is often focused on just shark fin consumption, and Asia often takes the blame. Yet, there is little conversation about the increase in the trade and consumption of shark meat, as opposed to shark fin. Why is shark fin seen as separate and distinct from other parts of a shark? Greater knowledge of fished shark species, and the sustainability of shark harvests has been overshadowed by advocacy campaigns that call for an absolute ban on specific parts.

How much of shark catch are of endangered species?

Despite the uproar over sharks being finned or fished, no one really knows or asks questions about what species of shark go into the bowls of shark fin soup or other shark products. Without evidence of specific species depletion, the noise made in campaigns may not reflect the true situation in our oceans. It also hinders conservationists, seafood traders, governments, and scientists from reaching a consensus on how to tackle the issue.

Between 2014 and 2016, 9,200 samples of shark fin by-product found in Hong Kong were genetically analyzed in a study, and it was found that 82 species were CITES-listed. Countries that are members of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have obligations to put in place and enforce national laws to protect against over-exploitation of these species. The good news is that the Hong Kong authorities are willing to work with researchers to scale up and improve inspections of shark imports at the port of entry.

A group of researchers in Singapore also recently DNA-tested 207 imported processed shark fin samples from various sources in Singapore, such as wholesale seafood traders and medical halls. The results showed that 80 percent of the samples collected contained 12 species of sharks and rays that were listed as endangered or vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Accurate species labelling of shark and ray imports, as well as accurate identification of species at catch level would be helpful in order to set catch quotas and put management strategies in place.