COI-barcoding evidences mislabelling and the use of endangered species in German shark products

Recent estimations categorize about 37% of all cartilaginous fish species (sharks, rays and chimaeras) as endangered. Especially sharks show severe population declines and many species are protected by CITES and other international conventions. Shark meat and other body parts are sold as various products internationally, often via complex trade routes. As most shark products (like cartilage pills, liver oil or smoked meat) are heavily processed, correct species identification can only be achieved via DNA-based methods. It has been shown that a large proportion of shark products ends up mislabelled to the consumer in Europe. Moreover, fraudulent and economically motivated substitution with cheaper meat is a strong driver for illegal and non-transparent shark trade. Interestingly, the German market is one of the most significant key drivers of the legal trade with Squalus acanthias, the spiny dogfish, which is appreciated in gastronomy as ‘Schillerlocken’ although the species is listed as...