In Troubled Waters: Applying DNA Barcoding to Monitor Singapore's Shark Fin Trade.

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Conservation Genetics
• Wildlife Trade Analysis

Background:

• The global shark fin trade is a major driver of shark population decline, with many species facing extinction risks.
• Singapore serves as a critical hub for the international trade, marketing, and transit of shark fins.
• Unsustainable fishing practices exacerbate the threat to vulnerable shark populations worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the species composition of processed shark fins traded in Singapore using molecular techniques.
• To assess the conservation status and international trade regulations applicable to identified shark species.
• To highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring in detecting new or previously unrecorded species in trade.

Main Methods:

• DNA barcoding was employed to identify the species of origin for 300 processed shark fins.
• Fins were sourced from diverse retail and wholesale outlets across Singapore.
• Species identification was confirmed using genetic sequencing and comparison with reference databases.

Main Results:

• Twelve distinct shark species were identified from the 300 processed fins.
• Eight of the identified species are listed on the IUCN Red List as threatened (2 critically endangered, 4 endangered, 2 vulnerable).
• Ninety-eight percent of identified species (12 species and 1 genus) are listed under CITES Appendix II, requiring trade regulation.

Conclusions:

• The study underscores Singapore's significant role in the global shark fin trade, involving numerous threatened species.
• The high proportion of CITES Appendix II listed species emphasizes the urgent need for stringent international trade controls.
• The detection of the critically endangered blackchin guitarfish, new to the region, highlights the necessity of continuous monitoring for effective conservation.