Shark Meat Mislabeling Threatens Endangered Species and Consumer Health

According to a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science on October 4, 2025, the shark meat sold in many U.S. grocery stores and markets is often mislabeled, putting consumers at risk and further endangering shark species. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill uncovered 11 different shark species in the 29 shark meat products they sampled, with 93% of these samples being incorrectly labeled.

The study revealed that 27 of the 29 products were simply marked as "shark" or "mako shark" without specifying the actual species. This is particularly concerning as two of the identified species, the scalloped hammerhead and great hammerhead, are considered critically endangered and have high levels of mercury, making them unsafe for human consumption.

Beyond the health risks, the mislabeling also has severe environmental consequences. Overfishing has already put over one-third of the world's 530 shark species at risk of extinction, and the continued sale of endangered species further threatens their recovery. Sharks play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, and their populations take much longer to rebuild compared to other marine animals.

The researchers have called for stronger regulations and consumer protections, arguing that the U.S. should require seafood distributors to provide species-specific labels. This would empower shoppers to make informed choices that prioritize their health and the environment.