‘Dogfish’ at Hani Kharroubi’s stall ‘for decoration’ [Frances Forbes-Carbines]

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A MARKET worker has defended the sale of sharks in Chapel Market after coming under fire on social media this week.

Hani Kharroubi, who works at Pure Fisheries, said that the shark species on offer at the stall was “not endangered”.

“It’s a dogfish, which is a kind of shark, but not the endangered type,” he said in response to concerns about the sale.

Mr Kharroubi added that the shark was not a recent addition to their ice boxes.

“We’ve been selling it for a long time,” he said. “Maybe one or two years.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the shark is not at the top of most of their customers’ shopping lists.

“Some people do buy it, but not many,” Mr Kharroubi told the Tribune, adding that the dogfish is mainly “for decoration” and had even become somewhat of a tourist attraction.

He added: “People take pictures of it, they love it. The main thing is really just for decoration and to attract kids. One man came all the way from Hackney with his kids just so they could see it.”

For those looking to buy, however, the shark won’t put them too out of pocket – going for between £5 to £7 per kilo depending on market price.

The Sharks Trust said that they could confirm the animal as a shark but would need further identifying features to narrow down its species.