Many people assume that because they don’t eat shark fin soup, they can’t possibly be contributing to the demise of the sharks and rays. And while shark fin soup does account for a considerable amount of shark consumption, there are many other culprits.
Many – even the most avid of conservationists – are shocked to realize, unknowingly, they’ve been contributing to the decimation of sharks. It’s quite likely you’ve consumed shark – and even have products containing sharks in your home – without being aware of it. There’s even shark in many of our cosmetics!
To say it is startling to discover what shark is actually used in is putting it mildly. Many products are completely unrecognizable or don’t contain the word shark in the product name. Certain supplements, pet foods, vitamins, make up, lotions, fertilizer, and even lipsticks – to name but a few – are all known to contain shark products. And increasingly more often, shark is mislabeled as other, more appealing fish.
Warning! These products could contain shark!
Shark Products-at-a-Glance: The uses for shark are vast, as are the places shark products can be found.
Food
- Whitefish fillets, fish patties, or fish fingers
- Rock Salmon
- Flake
- Imitation crab sticks
- Pet food
- Shark, skate & ray meat
- Shark Fin Soup
Where found: Asian, Japanese, Seafood Restaurants, Fish & Chips Shop, Grocery Store, Pet Shop.
Vitamins & Supplements
- Supplements containing Chondroitin or squalene/squalane (shark cartilage & shark liver oil)
- Supplements & alternative medicines containing gill rakers
- Energy & health drinks (look for chondroitin)
Where found: Health Food Store.
Souvenirs
- Jewelry (teeth)
- Shark Jaws
- Sharks in Jars
- Dried Sharks
Where found: Hobby/Craft & Souvenir Shops, Online marketplace like Amazon, Ebay, Etsy or GumTree.
Vaccines
- Pandemic
- Flu
- Malaria
Where found: Doctors office.
Alternative Medicines
- For arthritis, asthma, eczema, shingles, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, fevers, psoriasis and cancer
- Medicinal creams: healing of wounds, skin irritations, hemorrhoids
Where found: Alternative Medicine Store.
Cosmetics
- Anti-aging cream containing squalene/squalane (shark cartilage & shark liver oil)
- Skin lotion
- Deodorant
- Hair dye and conditioner
- Makeup: Eye shadow, lipstick, and foundation
- Lip Balm
- Sunscreen
- Face cleanser
Where found: Beauty and Cosmetics Store.
Misc
- Wallets
- Purses
- Shoes
- Handbags
- Furniture made from shark & stingray leather
- Industrial lubricants and cleansers
Where found: Hobby/Craft & Souvenir Shops, Leather Goods Store
If you stop buying it, there will be no market for shark products.
As consumers, often unknowingly, we are at the heart of the issue. Without demand for products containing shark, there would be nothing fueling the hunt. The good news is, whether we live in China or the middle of Iowa, we all hold in our hands the power to protect sharks, the oceans and our intertwined futures. The informed and easy consumer choices we make on a daily basis can turn the tide and save a species that desperately needs our help.
Unfortunately, the burden is on the consumer to educate themselves about products that contain shark and perform the necessary detective work to ensure they are not contributing the sharks’ demise.