Overview

• UNC scientists DNA-bar-coded 30 shark products bought from groceries, seafood markets, and online vendors in D.C., North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, identifying species in 29 samples.
• 31% of tested items came from great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, tope, or shortfin mako, which are classified as endangered or critically endangered.
• Labels were largely vague, with 93% sold simply as “shark,” and one product labeled as blacktip was actually endangered shortfin mako.
• Several detected species are known to contain high levels of mercury, methylmercury, or arsenic, posing health risks, especially for pregnant people and children.
• Legal status varies by species and harvest location under CITES and the Endangered Species Act, prompting calls for mandatory species-specific labels and traceable sourcing.