Sharks High on Cocaine: The Troubling Reality of Drug-Contaminated Waters in Brazil

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Recent research has unveiled a startling and troubling phenomenon: sharks off the coast of Brazil have been found with traces of cocaine in their systems. This discovery has raised significant concerns about the potential effects of drug contamination on marine life and the broader implications for ecosystems and human health.

 

Brazilian researchers conducted a study involving 13 Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. These small sharks, typically less than three feet in length, primarily feed on small fish and squid. The researchers analyzed samples from the sharks' muscles and livers, revealing alarming results. Every shark tested positive for cocaine, and 12 out of 13 also had benzoylecgonine, a byproduct of cocaine metabolism, present in their systems.

 

Dr. Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis, a British scientist from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and a member of the research team, highlighted the seriousness of these findings. "Considering the psychotropic effects of drugs of abuse on vertebrates, behavioral changes may occur, which, although sub-lethal, could impact the species' survival in ways that remain unexplored," she noted.

 

The study underscores the pervasive issue of cocaine contamination in marine ecosystems. Cocaine can enter the ocean through various means, including insufficient sewage treatment and discarded drug packets. Between 2011 and 2017, traces of cocaine were found in sewage and surface waters across 37 countries. While the presence of cocaine in aquatic organisms like mollusks, crustaceans, and bony fish has been documented, this study is the first to investigate its presence in sharks.

 

The potential effects of cocaine on sharks are significant and concerning. Chronic exposure to the drug could impair their vision, alter their hunting abilities, and potentially reduce their lifespan. The study found that the cocaine levels in these sharks were 100 times higher than those previously detected in other aquatic creatures. Such high levels of cocaine exposure could damage their DNA, affect their metabolism, and lead to behavioral changes.

 

Dr. Tracy Fanara, an ecotoxicologist and environmental engineering expert from the University of Florida, commented on the study’s implications. "They may not be going nuts from the cocaine but it could reduce their life expectancy," she said. This raises concerns about how drug pollution could indirectly affect human health through the food chain, as sharks are widely consumed in Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil.

 

The research aligns with earlier warnings from marine biologists about drug-addled sharks. In July 2023, concerns were raised about sharks in Florida potentially being exposed to cocaine dumped by smugglers. During Discovery’s Shark Week, marine expert Tom Hird and his team observed unusual behavior among sharks and noted that when a fake cocaine package was dropped into the water, the sharks rushed to bite it.

 

These findings highlight the urgent need to address drug pollution in oceans and its effects on wildlife. The study shows how human activities are affecting marine ecosystems, stressing the importance of better waste management and environmental protections to keep both sea life and people healthy.

 

The implications of this research are far-reaching. The contamination of marine ecosystems with drugs like cocaine not only poses a threat to wildlife but also to human health. As the drug enters the food chain, it could potentially have harmful effects on humans who consume contaminated seafood. This underscores the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent drug pollution and protect marine life and human health.

 

The study was published last week in the journal Science of the Total Environment, shedding light on a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As researchers continue to explore the effects of drug contamination on marine life, it is essential for policymakers and the public to take action to mitigate this growing threat to our oceans and our health.

 

 

Credit: BBC 2024-07-25

 

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[Tug]

First it was cocaine bear now cocaine sharks no wonder trump is terrified 

[gargamon]

Sounds like it could be a big tourist draw. Come and swim at our pristine beaches, get high on cocaine.

[stoner]

so if i throw a battery from my capsized boat in with the shark will he trip out or will i smoke another joint ? or can that not be undone. 

 

 

[Tug]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

so if i throw a battery from my capsized boat in with the shark will he trip out or will i smoke another joint ? or can that not be undone. 

 

 

Well I do know from experience the sharks do get a bit squirreley around impressed current anods around ships guess they get a tickle seems to make them more timid not aggressive 

[soalbundy]

10 hours ago, Tug said:

First it was cocaine bear now cocaine sharks no wonder trump is terrified 

A good place to dump the drug pushers.

[Skeptic7]

The next long awaited for episode❗

 

COCAINE FUELED

[2baht]

17 hours ago, soalbundy said:

A good place to dump the drug pushers.

I can tell you're not one! 

[stoner]

2 minutes ago, 2baht said:

18 hours ago, soalbundy said:

A good place to dump the drug pushers.

I can tell you're not one! 

 

them drug pushers hahahaha i haven't heard that since 1942. 

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

 

them drug pushers hahahaha i haven't heard that since 1942. 

innocence has a quality all of its own.

[rocketboy2]

No way, am I going to do a line of shark liver.

maybe a little bit of fin soup.