Home / Environment / Shark Loophole: Protected Species Sold Abroad
Shark Loophole: Protected Species Sold Abroad
15 Oct
Summary
- Private firms profit by selling protected sand tiger sharks abroad.
- Shark collections from Delaware Bay have sharply increased since 2018.
- US conservation efforts benefit foreign aquariums financially.
Sand tiger sharks, a protected species in US waters, are being legally captured from Delaware Bay by private companies and sold to aquariums abroad. Since 2018, collections for the global aquarium trade have risen sharply, with 80 sharks taken between 2018 and 2024 for public display overseas. These exports, primarily to China and the United Arab Emirates, allow foreign entities to profit from US conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.
Researchers question the sustainability of these collections, especially as many captured sharks are large juveniles or near-mature adults. While federal and state permits are required, scientists argue that the lack of precise population data makes it difficult to assess the impact of removals. The US has invested decades in protecting these sharks, which have low reproductive rates, making their removal for foreign profit a significant concern.
One Florida-based company, Dynasty Marine, has been responsible for most recent collections since 2021. Recipients include major aquariums in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, South Korea, Thailand, and China. This practice highlights a discrepancy where recreational anglers must release the sharks, yet private companies can legally collect and export them, prompting calls for a reassessment of the regulatory framework to ensure genuine conservation.
