Commercialization of a critically endangered species (largetooth sawfish, Pristis perotteti) in fish markets of northern Brazil: Authenticity by DNA analysis

Pristis perotteti, the largetooth sawfish, is one of most endangered elasmobranchs because of fisheries and habitat degradation. Its commercialization in Brazil is prohibited, but fresh or salted fillets of this fish can be found in markets, labeled as “sharks”. In this study we performed genetic analyses on “shark” samples from two important fishery-trading ports in northern Brazil (Vigia and Bragança). Based on partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S and Cyt b genes, 24 (55%) out of 44 samples were unequivocally identified as P. perotteti while the others comprised eight species of the families Carcharhinidae and Ginglymostomatidae. These results show that fishing surveillance and monitoring have not been effective to prohibit the commercialization of this highly endangered species.