How Brazilian Scientists Are Revealing The Hidden Threats Facing Sharks

The EcoShark project in Rio de Janeiro says it has detected the antidepressant sertraline in shark tissue, including brain samples from hammerheads, raising questions about how pharmaceuticals reach marine life. Researchers emphasize that detection does not prove harm, but it prompts new concerns about potential biological impacts and how the drug travels into coastal ecosystems influenced by humans. Since 2018, the project has studied sharks through multiple angles—movement, diet, genetics, health, and exposure to contaminants—using an integrated approach that combines contaminant analysis, telemetry, and genetics. EcoShark also works with local fishing communities, using their knowledge to strengthen long-term data collection and conservation strategies.