Few consumers picking up a tin or a pouch of pet food containing fish will pause to consider the origin of the contents, or what species they were made from.
But research suggests that we should think about what goes into the heavily processed food we feed our cat or dog.
When researchers in Singapore analysed 144 samples of pet food on sale in the country, they found that 31 per cent contained shark DNA – some from species listed as vulnerable.
Most common was the blue shark (Prionace glauca), then the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) and the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus).
At the point the product enters into the processing point and it starts to get mixed up with other ingredients, it becomes probably extremely difficult to have the right checks and balances as to what is there
Professor Francis Neat,
World Maritime University, Sweden
“None of the products specifically listed shark as an ingredient, listing only generic terms, such as ‘ocean fish’, ‘white fish’ and ‘white bait’,” the authors of the study, Ian French and Dr Benjamin Wainwright, wrote in Frontiers in Marine Science.
Other research found that about one in three seafood samples is mislabelled, sparking concerns about “seafood fraud” and leading one operator in the sector to describe the fishing industry as dysfunctional.
Among the scientists researching the DNA barcoding of seafood is Prof Stefano Mariani, of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. The Singapore findings come as no surprise to him.
“It’s just something that unfortunately happens in many different forms,” he says.
“When you have pet food, generally it’s in a tin or sachet. It’s like a pulp or little pellets. It’s very indistinguishable. It has a lot of ingredients and it’s very heavily processed.”
Determining from which species ingredients were sourced is not easy. After a few steps in complex supply chains, “information is lost”. Single harmonised system (HS) codes, using a standardised international system to label traded goods, may cover hundreds of fish species.
Often problems begin early on. Sharks may be trans-shipped from one fishing vessel to the next, says Francis Neat, professor of sustainable fisheries management, ocean biodiversity and marine spatial planning at the World Maritime University in Sweden.
“At the point the product enters into the processing point and it starts to get mixed up with other ingredients, it becomes probably extremely difficult to have the right checks and balances as to what is there,” he says.
“[This] is why these DNA methods are the first attempt to understand that or get a handle on the extent to which this is going on.”
When it comes to the pet food analysed in the new study, the authors suggest there are conservation concerns about the top three shark species they identified.
They say research indicates that the blue shark is “overexploited and should have its catch regulated”, while the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the silky shark and the whitetip reef shark as “vulnerable”.
Sharks as a whole have suffered badly at the hands of human beings, with populations shrinking 70 per cent over the past half century. According to 2021 research cited in the new study, three quarters of oceanic shark species are at risk of extinction. Fishing is regarded as their biggest threat.
In this context, Prof Neat feels that there is a responsibility on pet food manufacturers to ensure that the ingredients they use are sustainable.
“There are ways to do that,” he says. “There are certified fisheries you could source your products from which provide some certification of the species and origin of that catch and where it comes from.
“There are national or multilateral agreements, such as the EU, which has a catch documentation scheme that to a broad degree assures the species is the species it says on the label.”
DNA testing identifies what species are present in food (whether human food, pet food of aqua-feed given to farmed fish) and can indicate whether a certification scheme is working.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a non-profit organisation that sets sustainable fishing standards and certifies human and pet food, uses this to validate products sold with its certification.
With the MSC, Prof Neat, who used to be the organisation’s head of strategic research, says there is “very good agreement” – more than 99 percent – between what the species is being sold as and what it actually is, based on its DNA.
Not all sustainable fisheries are certified, Prof Neat says, so there are other options for people trying to ensure that the food that they or their pets eat does not have conservation implications.
Among the commercial companies offering DNA testing is Norwegian-based Orivo, which carried out its own pet food screening and found 60 per cent of the products contained undeclared species.
“These were not endangered species, but species that are priced lower, so we suspect economically motivated fraud,” says Erik Fuglseth, Orivo’s chief technology officer.
Mr Fuglseth says there is increasing concern about transparency among consumers and, as a result, also among retailers, brands and manufacturers, but complex supply chains make vigilance important.
“When raw materials such as fishmeal are transported long distances through multiple middlemen, it can often be challenging to monitor if other sources are mixed by intention into the raw materials, due to supply-demand challenges or to maximise profit,” Mr Fuglseth says.
“We are focused on helping honest and responsible players document that their products contain what they claim.
“Our technology is sensitive enough to detect even small amounts of specific species, and can be used as an efficient way to verify the end of complex value chains, and thereby detect adulteration by endangered species.”
In developing nations it can be particularly hard to have effective surveillance, so the risk is probably greater that the species or origin of fish is not well documented, according to Prof Neat.
“The problem comes when you have the illegal [operators] catching sharks for their fins,” he says. “There’s a big market for shark fins in Asian countries. A lot of that is likely to be illegal or unregulated.”
Catching sharks for their fins, which are regarded as a delicacy, has caused the over-harvesting of many species and even made some critically endangered.
“There’s still a lot of species that are potentially endangered and the trade of which is not really regulated. It’s easy to lose track of what happens to the animals,” Prof Mariani says.
He cautions, however, against seeing pet food as a key driver in the exploitation of threatened sharks species. Instead, he says, the shark ingredients in pet food – perhaps an oil, for example – may be a by-product of catching sharks primarily for their fins.
“It ends up with different suppliers, different people,” he says. “It’s a very complicated trade. The liver is used for oil, the cartilage for materials that give a certain texture. It’s distributed.
“Cat food is not a premium product like blue-fin tuna. It’s the stuff that’s used to make bulk, so the by-product of these catches ends up in pet food. That’s not to say it’s a good thing.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
The 12
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BLACKBERRY
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Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO
League Cup, last 16
Manchester City v Southampton, Tuesday, 11.45pm (UAE)
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Isle of Dogs
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson
Three stars
FIGHT%20CARD
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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