Sharks and rays. Labeling as a measure of conservation of Elasmobranchs in Euskadi

There are about 1200 known species worldwide of sharks and rays. Many of these species are marketed for human consumption. In the Bay of Biscay, similarly to what happens in the Mediterranean fisheries, there is not a fleet destined for shark fishing, as a target species. However, individuals of some species of sharks and rays area caught as part of the incidental catch or "bycatch" (Anglo-Saxon terminology).

The control of unloading and labeling of the catches of elasmobranchs is scarce and presents errors in the process, usually in the official records of catches which are commonly used by scientists in their research. Therefore, a correct and unified labeling can be in itself a method of preservation of the commercial species of sharks and rays

The CRAM Foundation, in collaboration with the Obra Social of "La Caixa", has opened the exhibition "Sharks and Rays. Labeling as a conservation measure for elasmobranchs in Euskadi" which examines the possible errors in the labeling of different commercial species of shark and ray fishery in the Bay of Biscay, Euskadi. Data collection is underway now until the end of June in the auctions of Ondarroa and Pasajes prior to the sale of the product. There is also collaboration with professionals who are providing the CRAM Foundation with data collected in these auctions.

In the context of this study will try to discover the keys to the consumption of sharks and rays by the Basque community from data collected from population surveys. In the same way, the overall status of shark fisheries, as well as the main threats to these species, will be described.