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Endangered shark species sold in UK chip shops, study finds
Fishing for spiny dogfish is banned under EU rules in most circumstances.
Researchers call for better seafood labelling  

Scientists have found endangered species of hammerhead, dogfish and other sharks on sale for consumption in the UK.

DNA barcoding was used to look at 78 shark samples from chip shops, 39 from fishmongers, 10 fins from a wholesaler and 30 fins seized by UK Border Force as they travelled from Mozambique to Asia.

The majority of chip shop samples were found to be spiny dogfish, which is endangered in Europe and vulnerable worldwide. Products were being sold under generic names such as huss, rock salmon and rock eel.

Fin samples included scalloped hammerheads, which are endangered globally and subject to international trade restrictions. The fins from the UK wholesaler also included other threatened sharks such as shortfin mako and smalleye hammerheads.

Other species found on sale in fishmongers and chip shops included starry smooth-hounds, nurse hounds and blue sharks.

Fishing for spiny dogfish is banned under EU rules in most circumstances. Whilst researchers said these samples could have been sourced from more sustainable stocks elsewhere, the findings highlight the problems of labelling shark meat with ‘umbrella’ terms that cover multiple species.

First author Catherine Hobbs, from the University of Exeter, said: “It’s almost impossible for consumers to know what they are buying. People might think they’re getting a sustainably sourced product when they’re actually buying a threatened species.

“There are also health issues. Knowing what species you are buying could be important in terms of allergies, toxins, mercury content and the growing concern over microplastics in the marine food chain.”

Researchers are calling for more accurate food labelling so people can make informed choices about what shark species they eat. The research has been published in Scientific Reports.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.