Shark Liver Oil Business: Between Health Supplement Trends and Threat of Extinction

Behind the popularity of health supplements made from shark liver oil, which are widely traded on social media and marketplaces, lies an increasingly worrying ecological threat. The practice of harvesting shark livers, particularly from gulper sharks (family Centrophoridae), is now a real threat to the survival of these apex predator populations in Indonesian waters.

For fishermen in Tanjung Luar, Lombok, gulper sharks are a prized commodity. Using bottom longlines, they hunt deep-sea sharks that have a high squalene content. The oil extraction process is carried out traditionally by drying shark livers under the sun until they melt, which is then processed into bulk oil and packaged into health supplement products.

The global shark liver oil market is predicted to continue rising due to high demand for anti-aging and pharmaceutical products. However, the dark side of this business is the low reproduction rate of deep-sea sharks. IUCN notes that gulper shark species like Centrophorus squamosus have experienced a population decline of up to 79% over the last three generations, making them highly vulnerable to extinction.

BRIN shark researcher, Selvia Oktaviyani, emphasized that the role of sharks as apex predators is crucial in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. A decline in shark populations will trigger food chain imbalances that could potentially harm future fishery stocks. As a solution, experts are urging the industry to switch to plant-based squalene sources, such as olives or sugarcane, which are far more sustainable.

The biggest challenge in controlling this trade lies in the weak traceability of products. A long supply chain, from fishermen to large factories, makes species identification almost impossible once the product is turned into oil. Although the government, through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), plans to tighten regulations by requiring special permits, these rules have not yet been effectively implemented.

Until stricter trade regulations are implemented, the survival of deep-sea sharks will continue to depend on the commitment of all parties to stop exploiting these endangered species. Without concrete steps in supply chain monitoring and public education, there are fears that this poaching in the name of health will trigger the permanent extinction of these deep-sea predators.