Companies Urged to Shift to Humane and Plant-Based Squalene Alternatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TORONTO (May 4, 2023) — More than 20 international shark conservation organizations are joining forces to urge the cosmetic and personal care industry to stop using shark ingredients. In 2021, the cosmetic and personal care product industry purchased more than 70% of global shark squalene — creating an unsustainable demand for the fishing of endangered and threatened sharks worldwide. In response, the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is building support through its Shark Free initiative to shift industry practices and protect at-risk shark populations. Three-quarters of oceanic sharks are threatened with extinction and Shark Free provides an invaluable resource for consumers, companies, scientists, and changemakers to join the initiative.
Inspired by the work of internationally acclaimed filmmaker and conservationist Rob Stewart, Shark Free is a campaign focused on removing all shark ingredients from consumer products. Shark Free supporters continue to grow with over 200 scientists, nonprofit groups, and celebrity ambassadors — including industry leaders Lush, L’Oreal, Biossance, Unilever, and Shiseido.
More than 100 million sharks are fished each year to meet the global demand for shark products in cosmetics, pet food, fertilizer, and seafood dishes. Shark liver oil is commonly listed in cosmetic and personal care products as squalene or squalane as it provides that silky and easy-to-apply feeling. With high-quality, humane, plant-based squalene readily available, the cosmetic and personal care industry has the potential to significantly impact shark protection.
“Rob Stewart showed us the impact one individual can make, but Rob also knew that by joining forces we can create the kind of change we need to see in the world,” said Lana Brandt, Executive Director of the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation. “We are thrilled to be working together with so many exceptional organizations, companies, and individuals and we look forward to using the Shark Free platform to expand into other major industries.”
To learn more about this work visit SharkFree.com.
Other organizations and groups are welcome to join. Email info@sharkwaterfoundation.com
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Media Contact:
info@SharkWaterFoundation
Urgent appeal can be viewed here.
