PESCA BR Questions Campaigns Against Shark Consumption!

PESCA BR, as a national entity representing the fishing sector, expresses its concern regarding campaigns against shark consumption, often based on information lacking adequate technical and scientific foundation. While we share a commitment to preserving marine resources and biodiversity, it is essential that discussions on this topic are guided by transparency and truth, without jeopardizing the social and economic sustainability of fishing communities.

It is important to highlight that shark meat has been consumed for decades in Brazil and many parts of the world without any recorded diseases or health issues associated with its consumption. This fact underscores the need for a debate based on real data rather than alarmist speculations. Ignoring this reality and promoting campaigns that demonize shark consumption not only misinforms society but also harms workers and entrepreneurs in the sector, who already face numerous challenges, such as illegal fishing, lack of infrastructure, and the absence of effective public policies.

Just like shark consumption, many animal- and plant-based foods are also subject to potential contamination. Eggs, dairy, and meats, for example, can contain pollutants, especially if the animals were fed contaminated forage or raised in polluted areas. Root vegetables and tubers, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and potatoes, may exhibit concerning levels of heavy metals. Processed foods are also subject to contamination by heavy metals during processing or due to industrial environments.

Other factors influencing food contamination include:

• Cultivation location: Regions with contaminated soil and water produce foods with higher concentrations of heavy metals.

• Plant type: Some plants, such as rice, have a higher capacity to absorb heavy metals.

• Use of pesticides: Chemical fertilizers and pesticides can add contaminants to agricultural production.

• Industrial contamination: Industrial waste directly impacts food safety, particularly for fish and vegetables.

Despite these risks, strict standards and regulations ensure the quality of products available in the market, including animal and marine-origin products like shark meat. It is noteworthy that over the last century, human life expectancy has increased significantly—from about 30–40 years at the beginning of the 20th century to over 70 years today. In Brazil, life expectancy at birth rose from 33 years in 1900 to 76.8 years in 2020. These advancements demonstrate that, even in a world with contamination challenges, technological and regulatory progress has ensured food safety and quality of life.

We observe that, in some cases, the creation of problems and alarmist narratives appears to serve more to maintain the relevance of certain NGOs and institutions than to achieve genuine environmental preservation. It is crucial that the focus remains on effective solutions rather than perpetuating artificial crises that only undermine societal trust and penalize productive sectors operating within the law.

We reiterate that any action on this issue must be preceded by dialogue and constructed with the participation of the sectors directly involved. Defending the oceans and food security is a collective cause, but it will only be achievable through initiatives based on science, respect, and responsibility—never through alarmist or sentimentalist narratives that promote structural disorder, discredit official regulatory bodies, and subsequently seek substantial sponsorships, often from chemical and oil companies. These actions end up funding campaigns that offer pseudo-simplistic solutions, such as the slogan "STOP CONSUMING," instead of addressing the real issue: pollution of the planet.

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