Cocaine Sharks Are Real!

Cocaine sharks are real! In this interview, environmental engineer and science communicator Dr. Tracy Fanara explains what scientists are actually discovering about sharks, pharmaceuticals in the ocean, and how chemical exposure could be affecting marine life. From trace contaminants in coastal waters to broader questions about water quality, we explore how human activity is changing ocean ecosystems—and what that could mean for sharks, fish, and other wildlife. How do substances like pharmaceuticals—and even drugs—end up in the ocean? What impact can they have on marine animals? And are these changes something new, or something we’re only just beginning to detect? This conversation goes beyond the viral idea of “cocaine sharks” to look at the real science behind pollution, behavior, and the future of ocean life.