Shark fishing regulations introduced three years ago that ban recreational fishing for most species in Bermudian waters are killing a long-held tradition: shark oil barometers.

Years ago, hurricane warning systems were crude and slow, so Bermudians relied on jars or bottles filled with oil from a shark’s liver.

The legend goes that when the oil turns cloudy a hurricane is approaching.

“Shark oil barometers are not impossible to get, but have become very difficult to source,” a person close to the fishing industry told The Royal Gazette.

He said that Government made a concession allowing commercial fishermen to catch sharks with a special permit, partly so that people could still have shark hash, a Bermudian delicacy made with minced shark meat.

The process of gathering shark oil is very particular, he said. Generally, Galapagos or dusky sharks are used.

“They also have to be young sharks, and the liver has to be white,” the source said. “My grandfather told me the moon also had to be in a particular phase.”

Sarah Fields, proprietor at Riihiluoma’s Flying Colours on Queen Street in Hamilton, last sold shark oil barometers as souvenirs approximately 18 months ago.

“As soon as we had some, we sold out in a day,” Ms Fields said.

The last crop of barometers was made by Albert Corday, who obtained shark livers from local fishermen.

It became harder for him to not only find the shark oil, but also the fishermen who knew how to harvest it.

“When caught, the liver blows up like a balloon,” Ms Fields said. “If it is not preserved the right way, it can burst.”

Mr Corday said: “There was one other person who made shark oil barometers, but he has now died. I don’t think there is anyone making them regularly now.”

His wife, Judy, was slightly relieved the barometer production was over in her house.

“When it is being prepared, it really smells,” she said.

Quasi-scientific experiments carried out on shark oil a few years ago found that the oil was not always effective.

The source told The Royal Gazette that shark oil requires 7 or 8 ounces to work well.

“Back in the day, people would have a rum bottle full of shark oil,” he said.

Lynda Johnson of St George’s has had a vial of shark oil for several years but never really paid attention to it until recently.

“This year I have been keeping a record of it,” she said.

So far, her shark oil is staying clear, a traditional indication that Bermuda is not about to be walloped by a hurricane.

•For the latest hurricane reports, see weather.bm