High Oil Content In The Liver Once Made Basking Sharks Targets For Industrial Harvest

A single organ once fueled lamps and machinery.

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Squalene from shark liver oil was historically used in cosmetics and lubricants.

The massive liver of a basking shark, rich in oil such as squalene, was historically harvested for use in lighting and industrial applications. In large individuals, the liver could weigh over a ton.

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💥 Impact (click to read)

Extracting oil from a single shark could yield substantial quantities of valuable material. This economic incentive drove directed fisheries that removed thousands of individuals in some regions.

The targeting of a slow-reproducing giant for one internal organ illustrates how economic demand can outweigh ecological sustainability. Recovery from such exploitation remains slow decades later.

Source

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

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