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 angel sharks, 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.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil
05:10 – Mongabay’s exposé: 1,000+ shark meat tenders uncovered
10:45 – Angelsharks mislabeled as “angel fish” in school meals
16:30 – The scope: 5,900 institutions receiving shark meat
22:20 – Political fallout: Nilto Tatto calls for a parliamentary hearing
28:40 – Health risks: mercury and arsenic in shark meat
34:55 – Industry response: “alarmist” vs. scientific evidence
41:30 – Mislabeling of shark meat as “cação” and consumer confusion
47:15 – Global context: parallels in Portugal and the Mediterranean
52:40 – Conservation stakes: sharks down 71% in 50 years
58:10 – Push for CITES protection of angelsharks
01:02:00 – Food security vs. biodiversity: finding a balance
01:04:00 – Final reflections and call to action

#oceanconservation #MarineBiology #SaveOurOceans #ProtectTheOcean #OceanAwareness #BluePlanet #ConservationMatters #ScienceForChange #SustainableOceans
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