Unveiling the Threats Beneath: Fish Mislabeling in the Brazilian Amazon Coast and its Impacts on the Critically Endangered Daggernose Shark

Abstract

Fish mislabeling is a global issue with far‐reaching consequences for both food security and biodiversity conservation. This practice involves the intentional or unintentional misidentification of fish species sold in markets and restaurants, often driven by economic gain or cultural preferences. The mislabeling of threatened fish species further exacerbates the problem. This manuscript focuses on an emerging mislabeling practice in the Brazilian Amazon coast, which impacts a critically endangered elasmobranch species, the Daggernose Shark Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus. More specifically, the mislabeling of the Atlantic Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis as the Acoupa Weakfish Cynoscion acoupa has led to intensified fishing activities and incidental capture of the Daggernose Shark. Traditional enforcement approaches have shown limited effectiveness, and alternative conservation interventions, including participatory management and education programs for artisanal fishers, are needed to address this complex issue.

Fifteen years of extensive and inadvertent elasmobranch trade in Brazil detected by DNA tools

“…The capture of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) has been increasing worldwide due to industrial, artisanal, and recreational fisheries catering to diverse markets (Pacoureau et al, to occur, and monitoring to curb these practices is still an outstanding challenge (El Bizri et al, 2020;Wosnick et al, 2023). Elasmobranch meat continues to be sold inadvertently due to their continuous landing without heads and fins and extensive processing when sold as fillets or steaks (Rodrigues-Filho et al, 2012;FAO, 2020).…”