Study finds endangered sharks still major part of international trade

The University of Guelph study used DNA testing to accurately identify 129 shark fins and ray gill plates purchased from markets in Canada, China and Sri Lanka, and confirmed the parts came from 12 species of endangered sharks and rays.

Dirk Steinke, adjunct professor in the department of integrative biology at the University of Guelph, is one of five authors of the study that determined a majority of samples they obtained came from endangered or threatened species.

Researchers used DNA testing to accurately identify 129 shark fins and ray gill plates purchased from markets in Canada, China and Sri Lanka, and confirmed the parts came from 20 species of sharks and five species of rays.

Of those, Steinke says 12 are listed or have been approved for listing this year in an international treaty aimed at stopping the trade in endangered plants or creatures.