Present Status of Shark Liver Oil Industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Forty six shark species are known to be found in the seas around Sri Lanka and out of them six species are used to produce shark liver oil. Shark liver oil contains high levels of squalean and alkylglycerols (AKG) and other fatty acids, having high medicinal properties. Investigation on shark liver oil in Sri Lanka is scare and therefore, this case study was carried out with the main objective of identifying present situation of shark liver oil industry in Sri Lanka, its production, distribution, market, problems and constrains. There are thirty producers of shark liver oil and two collectors in Sri Lanka and they are scattered in south, west and the east coastal areas of the country. Sri Lanka produces 1200 kg of shark liver oil annually and the total production is exported to Japan for purification and value addition processes. Result of the present study indicates a failure in earning an income through shark liver oil due to lack of a purification process in Sri Lanka. Further investigations are suggested to develop a purification and value addition process for enhancing the shark liver industry for a better profit.