A study on endangered marine life and food markets by University of Guelph researchers was recently featured in the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail and on CBC News.
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (BIO) researchers using DNA testing found 71 per cent of more than 100 samples belonged to species considered at risk of extinction. Lead author Dirk Steinke, BIO director of education and outreach, said Canada is the largest importer of shark fins outside southeast Asia. Shark fins are popular in soups at Chinese banquets. DNA testing may help ensure banning sales of shark fins works, said Steinke. He studies ecology and genome science.