Researchers find traces of caffeine, cocaine in sharks in The Bahamas
Sharks in The Bahamas tested positive for multiple contaminants linked to human activity, according to NBC News. The study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, documented cocaine, caffeine, and painkillers acetaminophen, and diclofenac in tissue samples from 85 sharks.
According to the study, the proliferation of vacation homes and rental properties has “significantly increased the volume and chemical complexity of local wastewater.”
The research, titled “Drugs in Paradise: Caffeine and Cocaine Detected in Bahamas Sharks,” analyzed five different types of sharks. Most samples came from waters near tourist areas, including sites near Eleuthera.
The researchers said this is the first report of caffeine and acetaminophen in any shark species worldwide, and the first report of diclofenac and cocaine in sharks from The Bahamas. They described the region as “an environment commonly described as pristine.”
Brazilian sharks
Investigators reported altered triglyceride, urea, and lactate levels in sharks with detected contaminants compared to those without. The repeated identification of caffeine as the most prevalent detection suggests that widely consumed compounds can become persistent markers of human influence in the ocean.
The findings align with broader evidence that wastewater tied to urban development, tourism, and vacation homes is entering coastal waters. In 2024, more than 10 sharks in waters off Brazil tested positive for cocaine. Researchers noted that contamination patterns vary by location but are consistent with coastal areas receiving inputs associated with human presence and infrastructure.
These Sharks are EVERYWHERE in the Bahamas!
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