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Guatemala’s shark meat trade exposed
A recent nationwide study in Guatemala has uncovered the shocking truth about the country’s shark and ray meat trade, revealing a complex and murky supply chain that threatens the very survival of endangered species.
For years, the trade has been shrouded in secrecy, with aggregated categories lumping together dozens of species and product types, making it impossible to track individual species or enforce regulations. But a team of marine scientists and science communicators have shed light on this opaque industry by analyzing 370 samples from 2016, 2017, and 2022.
Their research exposed the alarming fact that over 22% of the samples were not even shark or ray meat at all, but rather mislabeled teleost fish. This revelation raises serious concerns about the authenticity and labeling of seafood products in Guatemala’s markets.
Furthermore, the study found that most inland markets are supplied by shark and ray catches from the Pacific coast, while some markets on the Atlantic coast rely exclusively on imports or domestic fisheries. The researchers also detected 19 different species, including many considered threatened with extinction.
The results provide a blueprint for how science can support sustainable seafood consumption in complex trade environments. The importance of understanding where our food comes from has never been more crucial due to the increasing pressure faced by shark and ray populations worldwide.
It is imperative that conservationists and policymakers take heed of these findings, as well as the global implications of such an unregulated market.
Source: www.forbes.com
