Environmental organization “iSea” has lodged a formal complaint regarding a restaurant in Halkidiki, Greece, that allegedly featured a strictly protected species of shark on its menu, using it as a “barker” to attract customers in a TikTok video.
The incident highlights critical issues concerning illegal fishing, mislabeling of seafood, and insufficient enforcement of environmental regulations in Greece.
Related: 33 Shark Species Found in Greek Waters
The protected species: The bigeye thresher shark
The shark identified in the complaint is the bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus). It is a globally threatened species, primarily due to overfishing.
Its protected status stems from its slow growth and late maturity, meaning the species reproduces infrequently. With typically only 2 to 4 pups per litter, population recovery after depletion is challenging. These sharks are often caught as bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish, both in the Mediterranean and globally. Their large size and open-ocean habitat make them susceptible to these fishing methods.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the bigeye thresher shark as critically endangered in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating an extremely high risk of extinction in the region. Globally, the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which means international trade in this species is strictly controlled to prevent overexploitation.
As a critically endangered species within the EU, the bigeye thresher shark is subject to strict protection measures. Greek national legislation, in alignment with EU directives and international conventions, prohibits the fishing, landing, and sale of this species.
Protected shark displayed on menu in Greece
According to iSea’s complaint, the bigeye thresher shark was openly displayed at a Halkidiki restaurant in a TikTok video, acting as a “barker” to entice customers. This direct public display of a protected species is a clear violation of existing laws.
iSea asserts that “despite the current legislation prohibiting it, the species was caught, landed and sold to a tavern.” This highlights a breakdown in the enforcement chain, from fishing to market. The organization believes the particular shark was likely landed and sold under an incorrect label, possibly as “galeo” (a common name for certain dogfish species).
This is a pervasive issue, with iSea’s research indicating that more than 60 percent of shark and ray products on the Greek market are incorrectly labeled or not labeled at all. This practice serves as a “cover” for the illegal trade of protected species, allowing them to enter the market unnoticed. The incident “demonstrates once again the complete lack of [awareness and enforcement] in Greek seas, where protected species continue to be fished and publicly displayed without repercussions, even through social networking platforms,” says iSea.
In light of this incident, it has formally requested that the Ministry of Rural Development and Food immediately investigate the incident, ascertain the full extent of the violation, and identify all parties involved. It calls on authorities to identify and impose prescribed sanctions on those responsible, including fishermen, distributors, and the restaurant owner, ensuring accountability for illegal activities.
iSea is calling for stronger enforcement measures in the marketplace, urging the food service sector to prevent the capture, landing, and sale of protected species, and demanding accurate labeling of all seafood products.
Related: The Deadliest Decade for Shark Attacks in Greece
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