- Scientists find traces of drug in systems of sharks found off the coast of Brazil
- It is thought the drug is making its way into the sea through illegal labs or faeces of drug users
- Drugs have been found in fish in other countries previously
While it might sound like a plot for a low-budget horror sequel – this is all too real: cocaine has been found in the systems of sharks off the coast of Brazil.
High levels found
Marine biologists from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation carried out tests on 13 Brazilian sharpnose sharks, which were caught near the shores of Rio de Janerio. The tests revealed high levels of cocaine in their muscles and livers – up to 100 times more than has been previously found in other aquatic lifeforms. However, this is the first time researchers have found cocaine to be present in the systems of sharks.
It is thought that the cocaine is getting to the water – and therefore the sharks – through waste from illegal cocaine manufacturing laboratories or the faeces of drug users. Packs of cocaine lost at sea by traffickers could also be a source, but this is thought less likely.
Researchers say the findings are potentially worrying, although more research will be required to find out if the cocaine is changing the sharks’ behaviour.
International problem
This does appear to be an international problem. In March, a marine biologist claimed that British fish are “full of cocaine” thanks to the amount of raw sewage being dumped into British waterways.
Speaking to breakfast news show Good Morning Britain, Professor Alex Ford, a marine biologist at Portsmouth University, said the waters he had examined off the coast near Portsmouth had contained all manner of drugs, as well as prescription medications such as antidepressants.
