Production of shark liver oil

Shark liver oil contains 70 to 90% of oil.
The more Squalene is in the oil the more oil is in the liver.
Thus Centrophorus Granulosus liver which is extremely rich in Squalene (80%) contains more than 90% of oil. Centroscymnus Coelolepis liver contains 70% of oil. In many countries, there is a small scale production. The livers are left in a drum or a tank for a few days.
The oil comes out by itself and then by a difference of density (0.8/1), the oil comes on the top and the organic fraction goes in the bottom of the drum. Then it's easy to separate the 2 phases:
A more industrial process consists in:

grinding of the liver
storage in an agitated and heated vessel
centrifugation
filtration

Quality

In order to obtain a good quality, it's important to process fresh livers.
If the oil is obtained from "fresh" liver then the yield is better as well as the quality.
The livers must be processed as quickly as possible after the sharks get caught.
If the liver stays too long (over 1 month) in a drum or in a tank, then there is an hydrolysis.
The oil obtained from old livers will have a high acid value.
Livers can be frozen and de-frozen without any alteration.

Storage of the oil and shelf life

Pure filtrated oil can be stored more than 12 months away from light.

Packaging

The oil must be filled in a clean drum (steel or plastic) of 180 or 200 kg net.

Where to sell the oil?

Sophim is a leader in the production of Squalene and Squalane.
Of course for its production Sophim needs shark liver oil.
Today many livers are thrown away because fishermen don't know that the liver has a value. It's very easy to valorise this by-product and it can represent an important profit.
Having a laboratory in France, Sophim can receive samples of livers for an evaluation.
A piece of liver or a few millilitres (60 ml) in a hermetic bottle are sufficient for this evaluation. After this evaluation, a price can be given. Of course this price is proportionnal with the Squalene content. The freshness of the oil is also an important point.
Of course Sophim can help you to define the best process in order to obtain a good quality.