Americans Are Unknowingly Buying Critically Endangered Shark Meat

A new study has revealed that food products containing shark are being sold in grocery stores, seafood markets, and online across the United States—and in some cases, the meat comes from species already at risk of extinction. According to Newsweek, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill used DNA barcoding on 30 shark products purchased in several states, finding that nearly one-third came from endangered or critically endangered species such as the great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, and shortfin mako.

The findings highlight both widespread mislabeling and serious public health concerns. Of the 29 samples tested, 93 percent were ambiguously labeled as simply “shark,” leaving consumers in the dark about what they were eating. Only one sample was correctly labeled at the species level. Researchers also warned that some shark species, including hammerheads, contain high levels of mercury and arsenic, which can damage the brain and nervous system, impair fetal development, and increase cancer risks.

This isn’t the first time sharks have been found hidden in consumer products. A 2022 study discovered endangered shark meat in pet food, often labeled under vague terms like “white fish.” Conservationists say these findings underscore how vulnerable shark populations are to exploitation, especially as global shark numbers have plummeted by more than 70 percent since the 1970s due to overfishing, Climate change, and habitat loss. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature now estimates that over one-third of shark species are threatened with extinction.

Despite 74 species being listed under CITES protections, enforcement gaps mean that once sharks are processed into fillets or jerky, their identity becomes nearly impossible to confirm. Researchers argue that requiring species-specific labeling on shark products is essential both for consumer protection and for wildlife Conservation.

The message for consumers is clear: without transparent labeling, buying shark meat directly fuels the decline of critically endangered species. Choosing not to purchase shark products and opting for plant-based alternatives instead can help protect oceans, sharks, and the health of our planet.

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