Sharks have been targeted for a long time now due to high demand for their fins, livers, flesh, cartilage, and skin. People use their fins to make shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy. They also use shark remains to derive something called squalene, which is used in cosmetics and medicines. 

The shark trading industry is booming to the point where some vendors are even selling shark fillets and renaming them so that people are unaware that they are consuming shark. 

Sharks, as the apex predators of the ocean, consume a massive amount of toxins and by the time they are consumed by humans, they contain extremely high levels of mercury, which is toxic. 

“It’s truly horrifying that marine life is abused and treated with such little care or empathy for people to actually see the damage that they’re doing to wildlife,” said ILS senior Ava Chandler. 

Many shark conservationists have been trying to make people aware of these issues for years, but unfortunately many people are still oblivious. 

“I knew about the fact that sharks were being brutally killed, but I wasn’t aware just how grave or cruel it was until a few weeks ago when I was made aware through social media,” said ILS senior Layla San Miguel. 

The people who know about this issue are outraged by the way certain companies are using endangered species for a profit. 

“The situation truly disgusts me beyond belief, these are animals who are on the brink of extinction and the government and makeup industry don’t seem to care. All they care about is their profit and not angering clients,” said San Miguel. 

“The only way to truly create any change for this situation would be to boycott these makeup companies and to reach out to local, state, and the federal government about creating change. We as a human race out putting our planet in danger by not putting an end to this cruelty,” she continued. 

There are many alternatives that can be used specifically in place of shark squalene. 

“Squalene is a great oil alternative to increase skin hydration, so i don’t believe we should stop using it. however, there is plant-based squalene derived from sugarcane, and we can support brands who only use vegan squalene in their products. Some examples are The Ordinary and Biossance, who feature sugarcane squalene in their products,” said ILS senior Eliza Lee. 

To learn more about how to help protect sharks, visit sharkallies.com.