By: Ava Sergio
Photo from LIVEKINDLY article
Shark squalene is something millions of people use each day and still know very little about. The global demand for shark squalene is fueled by the shark livering industry, an industry that has contributed to shark populations declining by 95% regionally.
What is Shark Squalene?
Shark squalene is in all sharks and is the main component of the oil found in their livers. Sharks lack a swim bladder, a gas-filled organ, that functions to control buoyancy. As a result, sharks use the liver to control their buoyancy without expending too much energy. Squalene is valued by humans for its restorative and moisturizing properties. It functions to make lotions and creams more spreadable and absorptive. In the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, shark squalene was considered as a component of the vaccine that provoked a stronger immune response.
Photo from: CTV News
Deep sea sharks are unfortunately more susceptible to squalene removal because they’re more heavily targeted by hunters. Their liver can make up to 20% of their body weight which is much more than other shark species. This means they possess larger quantities of squalene and hunters can therefore get more squalene from each shark that is caught.
What is the Shark “Livering” Industry?
The supply of shark squalene is provided by the shark livering industry. Shark “livering” is an industry specific term that is used to describe the process of extracting shark livers. Sharks are caught and brought onboard fishing boats to have only their liver extracted before the rest of the animal is thrown overboard back into the ocean. Sadly, sharks cannot survive without their liver and will sink and drown as a result.
How is it Used?
According to a study performed in 2012 by Bloom, 90% of all shark squalene harvested that year was used by the cosmetic industry. Squalene is commonly found in products such as moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, lipstick, tanning oil, and eye makeup. However, this list is not exhaustive, and the average consumer can likely find squalene listed as an ingredient in more than one household item. Due to the ever-growing demand for cosmetic products, it is estimated that about 3 million sharks are killed for their livers each year to be used in cosmetic products.
What are the Environmental Impacts?
Photo from: California Diver
What does life without sharks look like? Spoiler alert, it’s bad. Scientists estimate that more than 50 shark species are fished for their squalene, several of which are listed on the IUCN Red List. Sharks are the top predators for many marine ecosystems and work to keep population numbers in balance so that the food chain can continue to function properly. When shark populations decline, it impacts the entire ecosystem. Smaller fish start to increase in number due to the lack of predation. These smaller fish feed on the primary producers such as phytoplankton. Primary producers support the entire ecosystem by producing the energy required for all marine animals that lie above them in the food chain. When this support system becomes depleted, it can cause the entire community to collapse.
What are Sustainable Alternatives?
Photo from: Pixabey
Thankfully, there are sustainable alternatives to shark squalene. Plant-based squalene is much more shark friendly and can be made of olive oil, sugarcane, rice bran, wheat germ, and amaranth seeds. Unfortunately, plant-based squalene is 30% more expensive to produce than shark squalene and it can be harder to extract. This cost difference can be the deciding factor for a company when choosing between shark squalene or plant-based squalene. Next time you’re shopping in the cosmetics aisle, check the ingredients of your favourite products to see if they contain shark squalene and consider a sustainable alternative. Biossance and The Ordinary are two brands that use 100% plant-based squalene and have had great success.
How to Take Action
There’s no need to give up hope! As consumer awareness of the issues with shark squalene has increased over the last decade, the market has started to shift towards more ethical plant-based squalene. Some companies such as Dove and L’Oréal have shifted towards plant-based sources and by 2010, much of the European Union shifted to using only plant-based squalene. Unfortunately, despite these meaningful advancements, shark remains the primary source of squalene on a global scale. Please join us and continue to spread awareness of the shark livering industry and the dangers it poses to sharks and the ecosystems they’re a part of.
Discussion Questions:
What are ways you as a consumer can contribute to the anti-shark squalene movement?
How does a decline in global shark populations impact humans and our economy? How does it impact other marine ecosystems globally?