Endangered shark species traded as "cacao" in Sao Paulo during the COVID-19 lockdown: DNA-barcoding a snapshot of products.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elasmobranch populations are declining, predominantly driven by overfishing, and over a third of global sharks, rays, and chimeras are estimated to be threatened with extinction. In terms of trade, Brazil is ranked the eleventh-largest shark producer and the top importer of shark meat in the world. Research has shown that elasmobranchs are sold in Brazil under the name "cação" (a generic designation for cartilaginous fish) to overcome consumer resistance.

Methodology and results

This study used DNA barcoding to investigate the sale of sharks in the State of São Paulo during the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 35 samples of "cação" were analysed, revealing six different shark species on sale, including Carcharhinus falciformis, Carcharhinus signatus, Carcharias tauru

SUBMITTER: Zuccolo V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10676306 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature