Are you eating endangered shark meat without knowing it? Mislabeling raises alarm

A new U.S. study using DNA barcoding on shark products sold in supermarkets, fish markets, and online found that 93% were mislabeled or so vague the species could not be identified. Eleven species turned up in just 29 products, including critically endangered great and scalloped hammerheads — sometimes sold for as little as $2.99 a pound under generic labels like “shark” or “mako.” Only one package was accurately labeled.

Researchers warned that not only does this mislabeling put endangered shark populations in danger, it also strips consumers of ethical choice and raises health risks. Shark meat, particularly from larger, slow-growing species such as hammerheads, is known to carry high levels of mercury and arsenic, which can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children.

Why is shark mislabeling happening?

Under FDA rules, many shark species can legally be sold under the generic market name “shark.” That means customers have no way of knowing what species they are actually buying.

At the import level, the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) tracks only certain species groups. Many shark products fall outside its scope and can pass through with little or no species-level documentation.

What should you do if you’re buying shark?

If you choose to buy shark, always ask for the exact species name. Packaging that only says “shark” — with no additional details — tells you almost nothing. If staff can’t identify the species, experts say you should walk away.

Another safeguard is to favor suppliers that provide full traceability — including the species name, catch area, and fishing method — and to avoid imports that lack this level of transparency.

What shark species are considered “okay” to eat?

The first thing to understand is that most shark species worldwide are threatened, listed as endangered, vulnerable, or critically endangered.

Large, slow-growing sharks — including hammerheads, makos, great whites, threshers, and many requiem species — are especially at risk and should be avoided entirely.

The one shark sometimes considered a safer option in the United States is the Atlantic spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). This smaller coastal species has healthier stocks in U.S. waters and is managed under a strict federal fishery plan. It is often sold simply as “dogfish.” Even so, conservation groups stress that these populations still require monitoring.

Organizations such as Oceana and the Marine Conservation Society advise avoiding shark meat altogether unless you have verified the exact species and origin. Even then, only smaller coastal sharks from certified, well-managed fisheries are considered acceptable — and only in limited amounts, given the mercury concerns.

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