Endangered shark species found in U.S. food markets, UNC study shows

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Be cautious at the seafood counter. That’s the message coming from the researchers who conducted a newly released study from the University of North Carolina.

After testing shark meat being sold at stores in North Carolina, and other areas along the east coast, they found that consumers may truly not know what’s on their plate.

The samples were collected from September 2021 to September 2022. The research says many of them were ambiguously labeled just as “shark meat,” and some samples contained meat from critically endangered species, which is illegal to sell in the U.S.

“So, we basically see if the stores that are selling this meat, are actually accurately labeling their products,” said Doctor Savannah Ryburn, a co-instructor for a seafood forensics class at UNC.

Ryburn authored the study alongside others. They collected 29 samples from grocery stores, markets and online sellers. Most shark products, which also included shark jerky, were purchased in North Carolina, but some came from Georgia, Florida and Washington D.C.

“We found 11 different species of sharks just in our 29 samples and we found three critically endangered species, which is pretty concerning for the small, limited sample size,” Ryburn told sister station CBS 17 Investigates.

According to the FDA, under the Endangered Species Act, anyone in the U.S. is prohibited from selling or offering to sell endangered species.

“Also, we found two different species of large hammerhead sharks which are recommended to never be consumed by humans because of their high level of mercury,” said Ryburn.

The study went on to say; “Overall, we found a high level of ambiguous and incorrect shark product labeling and evidence of IUCN listed endangered species in the U.S. food supply.”

The FDA releases guidelines or recommendations for seafood labeling.

When searching “shark,” on the FDA’s seafood list, updated August 2025, dozens of shark species come up, with “acceptable market name” listed as “shark.”

Some other acceptable market names come up as “hammerhead” “dogfish” or others, but guidelines say the majority can be labeled “shark.”

Ryburn says she would like sellers to be required to label their meat more specifically.

“It’s really important because this takes away the consumer’s choice on what they’re actually putting in their body because there’s hundreds of species of sharks and you don’t know if you’re eating something that’s very dangerous to your body or if it’s okay to be eating this on occasion,” said Ryburn.

CBS 17 Investigates reached out to the FDA, to ask if it’s considering any changes to how it recommends shark meat is labeled for consumers.

A representative referred us to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). We reached out to NCDHHS, who referred us to the North Carolina Agriculture, Food and Drug Protection Division, which said it has no current investigations for species misidentification.

Its statement went on to say; “Food operations that process, repackage or distribute seafood products are subject to inspection by NCDA&CS, Food and Drug Protection Division staff.  These inspections are conducted to assess compliance with federal and state food safety regulations that govern these activities including ensuring the proper labeling of seafood products.  Seafood is required to be labeled in a manner that is truthful and not misleading. 

Identifying the seafood species is an important component of labeling and while our laboratory does not have the DNA testing capability to identify species, the US Food and Drug Administration has performed this type of testing.  We work closely with FDA and can respond if an issue is identified.  More information can be found at FDA DNA Testing at Wholesale Level to Evaluate Proper Labeling of Seafood Species | FDA”