This field guide is based on data collected during the examination of more than 2,000 dorsal and pectoral fins from over 60 shark, ray and chimaera species, including all of the dominant species or species groups in the international fin trade reported in Clarke et al. (2006). Conspicuous fin markings were also assessed for pattern and consistency within species using photographs published in the literature and online. Fins used in this study originated from the United States, South Africa, Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Fiji, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, SAR, and included a wide size range for each species. Fishermen, fin traders and scientists provided the fins examined during this study. No sharks were sacrificed for this project.
This field guide is intended to help enforcement personnel distinguish unprocessed first dorsal fins and pectoral fins of CITES listed shark species from those of other large-bodied coastal and pelagic species found in trade based on morphological characteristics of their most distinctive fins. With provisional identification of a fin originating from a CITES listed species, there is probable cause to detain shipments of fins without the appropriate CITES permits. Because small-bodied species are also traded for their fins internationally, we suggest exercising caution when using this field guide to identify extremely small fins. This is particularly true for fins originating from neonate and juvenile CITES listed hammerheads, given there are small-bodied hammerheads within the genus Sphyrna that are not CITES listed.
Cover photos were provided by Stan Shea and Shawn Heinrichs. Photos of whole shark specimens are courtesy of the NOAA Pelagic Observer Program (POP). Photos on the inside cover were provided by Jim Abernethy, Chris and Monique Fallows, Shawn Heinrichs, Alex Hofford/Greenpeace, and Doug Perrine/Sea Pics. Bigeye thresher, pelagic thresher and longfin mako fin photos were provided by Diego Cardenosa. Dorsal fin photos on Page 4 were provided by Angelo Villagomez (white tip reef) and Guy Stevens (silver tip). All other fin photos were provided by Debra Abercrombie. This fin identification work is ongoing and would greatly benefit from collaborations from around the world. If you would like to contribute information to be used in materials that are currently being developed, please contact Debra Abercrombie (debra.abercrombie@gmail.com).
This work was supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts and compiled by Debra Abercrombie, with assistance from the following researchers: Sebastian Hernandez, Diego Cardenosa, Rima Jabado, Lisa Natanson, Sabine Wintner, John Carlson, Simon Gulak, Clinton Duffy, Doug Adams, Kevin Feldheim, Andrew Fields, and Stan Shea. We would also like to thank the Kwa-Zulu Natal Sharks Board, the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Fiji Department of Fisheries, the US National Marine Fisheries Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Belize Department of Fisheries for assistance. This guide synthesizes and builds upon two previous guides: “Identifying Shark Fins: Oceanic Whitetip, Porbeagle, and Hammerheads” and “Identifying Shark Fins: Silky and Threshers”, compiled by Debra Abercrombie and Demian Chapman. Thanks to staff at Florida International University’s Tropical Conservation Institute for reviewing this document and to DJ Mash for designing this guide.
Suggested citation: Abercrombie, D.L. and S. Hernandez (2017). Identifying shark fins: implementing and enforcing CITES. Abercrombie & Fish, Marine Biological Consulting, Suffolk County, NY. 21 pg.