|
|
 |
|
|
Shark Conservation
Shark cartilage is not unique; mammal and bovine cartilage also have similar properties, yet as sharks have entirely cartilaginous skeletons they are seen to represent a more viable source for pharmaceutical use. Shark cartilage is less valuable than other shark products – one report lists the financial returns from a 23kg shark as follows: cartilage US$2; fins US$25; meat US$12.508 [8]. As a result it is argued that cartilage products are a by-product and are not a major driver of the shark fishing industry. However, commercial products provide added incentive for unsustainable shark fisheries, and serve to boost the value of dead sharks rather than encourage the value of live sharks. Although the Shark Trust supports full utilisation of sharks landed, unsustainable shark fishing is a threat to shark populations worldwide, and the sale of products from such fisheries threatens to deplete vulnerable species. Holland and Barrett stated in June 2007 that their shark cartilage product was sourced from Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a species listed in the 2006 IUCN Red List assessment as globally Vulnerable, with North Atlantic, North Pacific and South American stocks all Threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered).
In August 2007, Holland and Barrett stated that while their product was historically a by-product of the Spiny Dogfish, it is now a by-product of the Blue Shark (Prionace glauca). In the 2006 IUCN Red List assessment the Northeast Atlantic population of the Blue Shark was listed as Vulnerable, which means it is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. The Blue Shark is a highly migratory species; records from the Atlantic show regular clockwise migration with the prevailing currents [9], therefore it is likely that the entire Atlantic population of Blue Sharks is under threat of extinction. Blue Sharks are among the most heavily fished sharks in the world, and are often caught as bycatch. As with most sharks, the species is slow to grow and reproduce, making it highly vulnerable to overfishing, and slow to recover once depleted.
A customer services representative at Holland & Barrett recently stated that, “Holland & Barrett takes the threat and welfare to endangered species very seriously and would not be selling any product that contained a by-product of an endangered shark”. However, the letter continued to say that, “Holland & Barrett will continue to sell shark cartilage due to customer demand, until such time that the species is classed as an endangered species”. The Shark Trust has responded to this statement to ensure that Holland & Barrett are aware of the conservation status of both the Spiny Dogfish and Blue Shark. Check our website for campaign updates.
 Back to Shark Cartilage Campaign
What is Shark Cartilage?
Shark cartilage and cancer
Processing, trade and markets
References
How can I help? |
|
|
 Back to top |
|
|
|
