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Several sharks are fished for human consumption since 4th
Century, such as Mako shark and Thresher
shark. Shark meat is popular in Asia, where it is often consumed dried, smoked,
or salted. Shark meat is consumed regularly in Japan, India, Sri Lanka, areas
of Africa and Mexico. Popularity of shark meat has increased in Western
countries.
In Eastern Africa and islands in the Indian Ocean, shark
meat has been traded and has been a significant source of protein for
centuries. Shark meat is common and popular in Asia. Shark meat is typically
consumed in prepared forms in Japan, such as in prepared fish sausage, surimi,
fish paste, fish balls, and other products.
Shark meat is popular in Australia, where it is known as
flake. Flake is sourced primarily from gummy shark, a small, bottom-feeding
species abundant along the east coast of Australia. Flake can be purchased as a
ready-made meal from most Australian fish and chip shops, usually in the form
of battered or grilled fillets.
Per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), European countries are major markets for shark meat. Pickled
dogfish is popular food in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and other northern
European countries. The meat is typically processed and consumed in steaks and
fillets. In Germany, though, a preference exists for backs, belly, and smoked
belly flaps, which are referred to as Schillerlocken. Per the FAO, Italy led
globally in the importation of shark meat in 1999, with France and Spain following.
In 1999, France imported the second-largest amount of shark meat on a global
level.
In Iceland, hákarl is a national dish prepared using
Greenland shark or sleeper shark. The shark meat is buried and fermented to
cure it, and then hung to dry for several months.
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Shark Meat - $250,000 Fine - 5 Years in Prison. Read before you buy and sell. Consuming and selling shark meat is legal in the United States, but it exists within a highly regulated system. The legality of any shark product depends on the specific species and the method by which it was caught and brought to shore. While you may find shark meat, such as mako or blacktip, in some markets, a web of federal laws dictates what is permissible. These regulations aim to manage shark populations and prevent cruel harvesting practices. The primary law governing how sharks are harvested is the Shark Conservation Act of 2010. This law was enacted to combat “shark finning,” the practice of removing a shark’s fins at sea and discarding the rest of the body. The Act makes this practice illegal by establishing a “fins-naturally-attached” policy. Under this mandate, fishers are required to bring sharks to shore with their fins still attached to the carcass. This ensures the entire shark is utilized, making the meat the primary product. The rule applies to all federally managed shark fisheries, creating a uniform standard across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. While the “fins-naturally-attached” rule governs harvesting, the sale of those fins is prohibited. The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2022 established a federal ban on the shark fin trade, making it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing them. This nationwide prohibition creates a single federal standard, with limited exceptions for scientific or educational purposes. Even if a shark is harvested in compliance with the fins-attached policy, its fins cannot be legally sold. While the “fins-naturally-attached” rule governs harvesting, the sale of those fins is prohibited. The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2022 established a federal ban on the shark fin trade, making it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing them. This nationwide prohibition creates a single federal standard, with limited exceptions for scientific or educational purposes. Even if a shark is harvested in compliance with the fins-attached policy, its fins cannot be legally sold. Violating federal shark regulations carries severe consequences. The Lacey Act makes it a federal crime to traffic, sell, or purchase wildlife that was taken or sold in violation of any underlying federal, state, or foreign law. This statute is frequently used to prosecute cases involving illegal shark fins and meat. Criminal penalties for a felony violation can include fines up to $250,000 for an individual and imprisonment for up to five years. Misdemeanor offenses can result in fines of up to $100,000 for an individual and one year in prison. Violators can also face the forfeiture of vessels and equipment used in the crime. |
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