Cocaine Sharks Taking Over? New Reasons To Be Afraid of The Water
Human waste and high bacteria levels have been closing local beaches lately. But now, do we have to worry about cocaine sharks? You’ve heard of the infamous cocaine bear. The bear who consumed a significant amount of cocaine then went on a rampage in a Georgia forest. Now, authorities are warning people in the Florida keys to be weary of “cocaine sharks.”
What are “cocaine sharks?” First off, it is a term being used for an upcoming Discovery TV show that will air during its upcoming “Shark Week.” But that’s not all. The term was developed because it is a real worry that sharks are consuming drugs that are regularly dropped in the ocean. Just last month, 14,153 pounds of cocaine in the ocean in nearby Miami. Tracy Fanara, an environmental engineer, says that sharks are most definitely coming into contact with the drugs and could put them at an even more serious danger to anyone who comes in contact. Fanara has been conducting experiments where they’ve been dropping bails of fake cocaine filled with a similar stimulant to cocaine to see how the sharks react. There were changes in behavior but it’s still too early to tell if it was from the fake cocaine or if it was just a coincidence.
Now, there’s no actual proof that sharks are eating cocaine dumped into the waters off the Florida keys HOWEVER marine biologists are warning that there is a very good chance it’s happening and will happen. Either way, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings while swimming in any beach.
Here in the northeast, while we don’t have as many sharks because the water is colder, there are still SEVERAL shark sightings and even shark attacks each summer. Below, we’ve listed the area beaches that are more prone to shark sightings so you can plan your next beach outing accordingly.