| Autor: |
Cardeñosa D; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA., Babcock EA; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA., Shea SK; BLOOM Association, Central, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China., Zhang H; Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China., Feldheim KA; Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL 60605, USA., Gale SW; Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China., Mills D; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA., Chapman DD; Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Many shark species have been overexploited for international markets, including fins for shark fin soup in Southeast Asia. Previous studies highlighted the value of large, threatened shark species, regulated under CITES Appendix II. However, sampling biases may have overlooked small shark species. Here, we address this by identifying species from ~4000 small shark fins in Hong Kong. These fins included species not recorded in previous surveys, raising the market's species diversity to 106. Nearly 75% of the small fins came from small shark species and 58.1% of small species were threatened with extinction. We identified an important CITES listing gap: Trade in 19 small, threatened species, especially from the family Triakidae, is unregulated. In addition, a quarter of small fins come from large sharks, indicating that substantial exploitation of juveniles is occurring and may be affecting fisheries sustainability. Enhanced surveillance of small shark fin trade is essential to ensure effective conservation under emerging trade regulations. |
