Do you know what you are consuming?

In our campaigns “Schillerlocke = Killerlocke” and “Stop Livering”, we have in the past raised awareness of the health and environmental risks of consuming shark products, most of which are hidden. The focus was on the smoked belly flap of the spiny dogfish, known as the “ Schillerlocke”, and squalene, a substance contained in shark liver oil. What many consumers do not know: These seemingly harmless products pose immense dangers – to humans and the ecosystem.

What was the story behind the campaigns?

The “Schillerlocke = Killerlocke” campaign drew attention to several problems:

• Extreme contamination with toxins: studies have shown that the guideline values for heavy metals such as methylmercury in spiny dogfish can be exceeded by up to 200 times. This poses considerable health risks – from brain damage to serious illnesses.
• Inadequate controls: Catches are only checked at random, which means that highly contaminated products can easily end up on our plates.
• Ecological consequences: The consumption of spiny dogfish has brought this shark species to the brink of extinction. Yet sharks play a central role in marine ecosystems. Their mass capture threatens not only their own species, but the entire balance of the oceans.

With the “Stop Livering” campaign, we want to create transparency for consumers and, on the other hand, get politicians and retailers to rethink their approach:

• Squalene is everywhere: squalene has moisturizing properties and can therefore be found in creams, for example. But it can also be found in industrial applications or in vaccines in medicine, without consumers knowing that it is of animal origin.
• Despite alternatives, sharks have to die: squalene could be produced from plants or biotechnologically. Nevertheless, it is usually extracted from shark liver, although the process is extremely gruesome and sharks' livers are often cut out while they are still alive.
• Disruption of a sensitive ecosystem: it takes around 3000 sharks to produce one ton of squalene. Especially deep-sea sharks, which reproduce slowly and are particularly affected by overfishing.

What goals are we pursuing with the campaigns?

In addition to the health risks posed by heavy metals, the consumption of shark products is also destroying the populations of these already highly endangered animals.

Our demands are clear:

• Consumer education: there needs to be mandatory labeling to show that the products are shark-based. Health risks must also be clearly indicated.
• Political support: As has already happened in Austria, we are campaigning for an import ban on commercial shark products.
  Conversion of the industry: Manufacturers should use plant-based or biotechnological squalene – and actively advertise this.
• Reform of fisheries: We are campaigning for an end to particularly harmful fisheries such as deep-sea fishing, longline fishing, bottom trawling and purse seine fishing. And call for an ecosystem-based approach.

Time for a new campaign

However, the overall problem has not diminished in recent years. On the contrary, it has worsened. More and more products are being sold under false names and without any reference to shark meat. For the consumer, this is usually completely incomprehensible and they have no way of consciously deciding against one of these products. Private individuals are also left to their own devices when it comes to health risks – often without sufficient information. For example, products with the well-known MSC label may indicate more sustainable fishing, but they say nothing about the fish’s harmful substances.

This is why we are relaunching our campaigns – under the provisional name “Shark products undercover”. This time we are going even further: we are no longer limiting ourselves to the shark curl and squalene, but want to create the greatest possible transparency about which products contain shark components. And we not only want to shed light on the health risks and ecological damage, but also show how conscious consumer behavior can help protect the oceans.

We are already working flat out on the topic, and in the coming months you can look forward to more background knowledge, exciting articles and practical tips. Our aim is to raise awareness of the problem and offer solutions at the same time.

What can you do?

We have a few tips for the waiting time:

1. Inform yourself: Be aware of which fish products you buy. Ask your sales clerk about the species, origin and fishing method.
2. Take a closer look at cosmetics: check the ingredients a little more and, if in doubt, opt for vegan products.
3. Avoid shark meat: this not only protects your health, but also the marine ecosystems. In general, we recommend minimizing fish consumption.
4. Support our campaign: Share our cause to make more people aware of this important issue.
5. Help us: Do you have information about where shark products are sold in your area? Then give the information to our campaign manager Loreen.

Our oceans, sharks and your health need protection – and every contribution counts. Together we can make a difference. Stay informed and follow us so you don’t miss the next phase of the campaign.