Shark Meat Now Dominates Global Trade, Outpacing Fin Value and Volume
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Shark meat has become the primary driver of the global shark trade, surpassing shark fins in both volume and value. In Indonesia, the world's top shark-catching nation, the trade is centered on markets like Tanjung Luar on Lombok, where sharks are deliberately targeted and sold at auction. The shift highlights a changing economic driver for coastal communities, with meat being processed and sold locally for as little as 29 cents per skewer.
Facts First
- Shark meat now leads the global shark trade, exceeding fins in both trade volume and value.
- Indonesia is the world's top shark-catching nation, with the Tanjung Luar fish market on Lombok frequently called its largest shark market.
- Sharks are supplied by legal, targeted longline vessels and as bycatch from gillnet fishers in the region.
- At auction in Tanjung Luar, individual sharks sell for approximately $35 to $58 (600,000–1 million rupiah).
- Processed shark meat is sold cheaply locally, with skewers in East Lombok priced as low as 29 cents.
What Happened
Shark meat has surpassed shark fins to become the leading commodity in the international shark trade by both volume and value. In Indonesia, the top shark-catching nation globally, this trade is centered on locations like the Tanjung Luar fish market, which is frequently referred to as Indonesia's largest shark market. Sharks are supplied to the market by longline vessels that deliberately target them and by gillnet fishers who catch them as bycatch. At the market, fishers transport sharks from boats to an auction site on the pier, where they are placed on the floor for bidding. Individual sharks at auction sell for between 600,000 and 1 million rupiah (approximately $35 to $58). The nearby village of Rumbuk serves as a processing center for the meat.
Why this Matters to You
The global shift toward shark meat as the primary trade commodity could affect the conservation pressures on various shark species. For communities in regions like East Lombok, the trade provides a source of inexpensive protein and creates local economic activity around fishing and processing. The legal, targeted fishing of sharks in Indonesia means this industry is a structured part of the local economy and food supply chain.
What's Next
The prominence of the shark meat trade suggests it may become a greater focus for international trade monitoring and conservation efforts. The legal framework surrounding targeted shark fishing in Indonesia is likely to remain a point of discussion as global trade volumes evolve. Local markets like Tanjung Luar may continue to be central hubs for this trade, given their established infrastructure and supply chains.