During Holy Week, fish consumption increases in Argentina, and one of the most traded species is the gatuzo (Mustelus schmitti), a small shark endemic to the Southwestern Atlantic. However, its situation is alarming: according to the IUCN Red List, its population has decreased by more than 90% in the last four decades, placing it in the Critically Endangered category.
The organization WCS Argentina, which has been working since 2013 on the conservation of sharks and rays, launched a campaign to discourage its consumption and promote conscious consumption. “It is not just a simple fish; it is a shark threatened with extinction,” explained Juan Martín Cuevas, coordinator of ray and shark conservation at the entity.
Why the gatuzo fails to recover
Unlike bony fish, sharks have slow growth, late reproduction, and low fecundity.
- Females only reproduce at 8 years and males at 7.
- They have few offspring per gestation.
- Industrial, artisanal, and sport fishing exploitation prevents populations from stabilizing.
In fish markets, gatuzo is also sold under names like “palo rosado”, making it difficult for consumers to recognize that they are buying an endangered shark.
Ecological role of sharks
Sharks play an essential role in the oceans:
- They are apex predators that balance the food chain.
- They maintain the health of marine ecosystems.
- Their disappearance would severely alter biodiversity and fishery productivity.
“As consumers, we can contribute by not buying sharks in fish markets,” stated Lucas Albornoz from the WCS Argentina conservation team.
International protection efforts
- In 2020, the gatuzo was classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
- In November 2025, it was included in CITES Appendix II, which requires regulating its international trade and proving it comes from sustainable fishing.
- In March 2026, its situation will be evaluated at the COP15 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), seeking to reinforce protection measures throughout its distribution (Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil).
A call to collective action
The WCS Argentina campaign seeks to raise awareness that the gatuzo is not just another fish but a critically endangered shark. Protecting this species requires:
- Public policies that regulate fishing and trade.
- Scientific research to monitor its populations.
- Environmental education for consumers and fishermen.
- International cooperation, as migratory animals do not recognize borders.
As Joe Walston, Vice President of Global Programs at WCS, pointed out: “The protection of migratory species depends on coordinated action between countries. The CMS provides a vital platform for that cooperation, but only if commitments translate into real actions on the ground and in the water”.
The Holy Week campaign against gatuzo consumption is a reminder that our daily decisions have a direct impact on species conservation. Avoiding its purchase and consumption is a concrete way to protect marine biodiversity and ensure this shark continues to play its essential role in the oceans.
