Shark Meat Fed To Students: Brazil's Hidden School Lunch Scandal
How To Protect The Ocean · Andrew Lewin - Marine Biologist & Science Communicator
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (traffic.libsyn.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil's public institutions has sparked outrage after Mongabay uncovered thousands of tons of mislabeled shark meat, including endangered species like angelsharks, being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and elderly care centers. Labeled as "cação" or "angel fish," these meals were consumed by thousands of unsuspecting Brazilians, raising urgent concerns for both public health and ocean conservation.
Shark meat in Brazil carries dangerous risks due to high levels of mercury and arsenic that accumulate in these apex predators. Scientists warn that children and vulnerable populations are especially at risk, while conservationists highlight the devastating impact on shark populations that have already declined 71% in open oceans. Lawmakers are calling for hearings, industries are pushing back, and the global conservation community is debating how to respond. This episode investigates how a school lunch scandal reveals the larger crisis of food security, seafood mislabeling, and biodiversity loss.
Mongabay articles: https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-serves-potentially-contaminated-shark-meat-to-children-in-public-schools/ https://news.mongabay.com/custom-story/2025/08/revealed-brazilian-state-buys-endangered-angelsharks-for-school-lunches/
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazils-shark-meat-problem/
Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube