Sharks In Brazilian Waters Test Positive For Drugs
Marine biologists have recently confirmed that several sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro have tested positive for cocaine.
The results of tests on 13 sharpnose sharks, that were taken from the shores of the Brazilian city, confirmed high levels of cocaine in their muscles and livers.
Marine life experts believe the narcotic is making its way into the waters via illegal labs where the drug is manufactured or through drug users. While shipments of cocaine are often lost or dumped by traffickers at sea, researchers believe that this is a less likely source.
Sara Novais, a renowned marine eco-toxicologist, told Science magazine that the findings are “very important and potentially worrying”.
Further investigation is required to ascertain whether cocaine is changing the behaviour of the sharks, with previous findings showing that drugs have similar effects on animals as they do on humans.
The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation’s research is the first to find the presence of cocaine in sharks. While any pollutant found in marine life is a serious subject and of great concern, you cannot help but wonder whether they will be getting around to testing the marine life around Ibiza.
