Oceanographic Center Professor’s Shark Fin DNA Test Helps Federal Authorities Prosecute Shark Fin Dealer

Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., Director of NSU Oceanographic Center’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (front) and Brad Wetherbee, Ph.D. of the University of Rhode Island and Guy Harvey Research Institute (back) study the migration patterns of various sharks in the US Virgin Islands in collaboration with researchers from the University of Virgin Islands Marine Science Center.

Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., director of NSU Oceanographic Center’s Guy Harvey Research Institute, and his graduate students, helped the U.S. Department of Justice successfully prosecute a Florida man who participated in illegally dealing shark fins. Shivji created a DNA test that’s able to identify which shark species a fin came from in a matter of hours. His test was used to help determine that the Florida man attempted to export sharks fins of species that are prohibited to harvest under Florida and federal laws.

The defendant pleaded guilty on June 12 to violating the Lacey Act, which is a federal fish and wildlife trafficking law, according to the Department of Justice. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to export shark fins of species that are prohibited to harvest under Florida state laws and trading in shark fins that have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions, federal authorities said.

“It’s gratifying to see that our research discoveries are having an immediate practical impact in law enforcement and helping save sharks from the illegal shark fin trade,” said Shivji, who’s breakthrough DNA test received national and international media coverage two years ago.

John C. Cruden, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said, “Trafficking the fins of these shark species is not a harmless offense. The Justice Department, along with our partner agencies, will continue to prosecute those who illegally trade in protected shark or other wildlife species.”