From molecule to conservation: DNA-based methods to overcome frontiers in the shark and ray fin trade

Author(s)

Domingues, Rodrigo Rodrigues ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Bunholi, Ingrid Vasconcellos ^[2] ; Pinhal, Danillo ^[4] ; Antunes, Agostinho ^{[1, 3]} ; Mendonca, Fernando Fernandes ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Porto, Fac Ciencias, Dept Biol, Rua Campo Alegre S-N, P-4169007 Porto - Portugal

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Inst Mar IMar, Lab Genet Pesqueira & Conservacao GenPesC, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11070102 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Porto, Ctr Interdisciplinar Invest Marinha & Ambiental, CIIMAR, CIMAR, Ave Gen Norton Matos S-N, P-4450208 Porto - Portugal

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Lab Genom & Evolucao Mol LGEM, Inst Biociencias, Rua Prof Dr Antonio CW Zanin 250, BR-18618689 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES; v. 13, n. 2, p. 231-247, JUN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Over the last years, many studies have reported the challenge of precisely identifying shark and ray species from the fin trade. In Asia, the high demand for shark fin soup has resulted in correspondingly high prices for fins. This, in turn, has caused overexploitation of elasmobranch populations worldwide. Fin processing can cause the loss of morphological characteristics; therefore, species-specific identification can be performed only by DNA analysis. Most studies have reported the presence of threatened and protected elasmobranchs in the Asian trade market, highlighting the failure of current management and conservation policies. Here, were discussed the evolution of DNA-based methods for elasmobranchs identification and presented new approaches toward overcoming the illegal shark and ray fin trade. Firstly, we argued that universal standardized DNA-based methods based on COI and NADH2 should be developed for the main species in international trade. In addition, high throughput sequencing (HTS) protocols should be developed and used to identify previously unknown species from highly processed food containing multiple ingredients, such as shark fin soup. Moreover, we highlight the importance of increasing the knowledge about population genetics data, providing an atlas of geographically distinct DNA polymorphic regions. Such genetic data will allow geographic traceability of shark and ray products exported to Asia in order to identify hotspots of finning practice, thereby providing a roadmap to indicate hotspots where effective law enforcement needs to be implemented. These approaches are also necessary to find those responsible for such illegal capture and promote effective fisheries management plans. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/21319-9 - Use of omics and bioinformatics tools for detect local adaptation of the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean
• Grantee: Rodrigo Rodrigues Domingues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 17/02420-8 - High-tech conservation: combining oceanography, transcriptome and genomics to assess population genetic connectivity and local adaptation of the highly migratory Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Atlantic Ocean
• Grantee: Rodrigo Rodrigues Domingues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral