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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide
Shortfin Mako Shark
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Common Thresher Shark
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Shark, Thresher
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California, Hawaii
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Wild-caught
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Shark
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Blacktip, Rock Cod, Sandbar, Shark
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Worldwide
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Wild-caught
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Shortfin Mako Shark
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Mako, Shark
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California, Hawaii
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Wild-caught
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Spiny Dogfish
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Dogfish, Rock, Rock Cod, Shark
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US, Canadian Atlantic
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Wild-caught
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Spiny Dogfish
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Dogfish, Rock, Rock Cod, Shark
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British Columbia
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Bottom Longline
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Sharks
Most shark populations worldwide are at historically low levels due to serious overfishing. With just a few exceptions, shark is ranked "Avoid."
Consumer Note
Buyer beware: many shark species are sold under the generic name "shark" without species identification.
Health Alert
Environmental Defense Fund has issued a consumption advisory for all shark species (including dogfish) due to elevated levels of mercury.
Summary
Scientists estimate up to 73 million sharks are caught and killed each year in fisheries, with up to half caught accidentally in fishing gear targeting other species.
Although shark finning is banned in some countries, including the U.S., it still occurs in many fisheries worldwide and is a major factor in the decline of shark populations.
Since sharks mature slowly and give birth to few young, most don't reproduce quickly enough to keep up with the intense level of fishing and accidental catch in other fisheries.
In addition, gear used to specifically target sharks, such as gillnets or longlines, catch and kill endangered species such as marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds.
A small number of shark populations in North America are managed more responsibly and have healthier populations. These "Good Alternatives" are common thresher and shortfin mako sharks caught in California and Hawaii, and spiny dogfish from British Columbia. However, unless these shark species can be sourced from these specific regions, we recommend that consumers "Avoid" all other shark products.
Recipe Alternatives
Pacific halibut is a "Best Choice" and farmed sturgeon is a "Good Alternative."
Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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| How fish are caught or farmed makes a difference. |
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