Is Shark kosher?

Q: Is Shark kosher?

Shark is not kosher according to Jewish dietary law. Not kosher. Sharks are cartilaginous fish with placoid scales (dermal denticles) that do not meet the halachic definition of scales. No mainstream kashrut authority permits shark.

No — Shark is not kosher under Jewish dietary law.

Not kosher. Sharks are cartilaginous fish with placoid scales (dermal denticles) that do not meet the halachic definition of scales. No mainstream kashrut authority permits shark.

Image: Photo by NOAA Photo Library · licensed CC BY 2.0 · source

Scientific name: Selachimorpha
Hebrew name: כריש
Also known as: Mako, Great white, Hammerhead, Bull shark, Tiger shark, Blue shark, Dogfish
Category: cartilaginous
Fins & scales: Fins ✓ , no scales ✗
Kosher status: Not kosher

About Shark

Cartilaginous fish (class Chondrichthyes) with skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone. Their skin is covered in placoid scales, which are anatomically similar to teeth.

Kosher ruling

Not kosher. Sharks are cartilaginous fish with placoid scales (dermal denticles) that do not meet the halachic definition of scales. No mainstream kashrut authority permits shark.

Source: Orthodox Union, Chabad