Meat from endangered sharks is being served up in Australian fish and chip outlets, researchers have discovered.
The examine, from the University of Adelaide, found meat from 4 threatened species was being offered as “flake” in some takeaways in South Australia.
Flake, an umbrella time period for shark meat fillets in Australia, is widespread due to its white color, gentle flavour and comfortable texture, however in response to the Australian Fish Names Standard, solely two kinds of shark – gummy shark and New Zealand rig – needs to be offered underneath the time period.
The examine analysed the DNA of fillets from greater than 100 retailers throughout Adelaide and regional areas of South Australia, and located 9 several types of species being offered underneath the time period.
Among them had been threatened species, together with the shortfin mako shark and the sleek hammerhead, whereas some had been sharks not present in Australian waters, the examine discovered.
“Only 27 per cent of all samples were identified as gummy shark, a species that has a sustainable population, and is one of only two species that is recommended to be labelled as flake in Australia,” stated Ashleigh Sharrad, the lead creator and a researcher from the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences.
“Our results highlight the need for clearer national guidelines or labelling laws for shark fillets.”
Of all of the flake samples analysed, just one in 10 retailers might accurately establish the kind of fish being offered.
About a fifth of the fillets had been mislabelled and the rest had ambiguous labelling.
Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, from the University of Adelaide, stated: “Food fraud in the seafood industry is a growing concern and mislabelling may occur. It can have potential implications on human health, the economy, and species conservation.”
The analysis has been revealed within the worldwide journal, Food Control.
Source: information.sky.com”
