TBNClimatePolitics
Mongabay shark meat investigation shortlisted for two journalism awards in Brazil
Publication: Conservation news
Authors: Karla Mendes, Mongabay.com
Source published: 13/11/2026, 16:17:16 UTC
Briefing created: 13/11/2026, 17:22:31 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 13/11/2026, 16:39:24 UTC.
Briefings
A Mongabay investigation published in 2025 with the Pulitzer Center identified large-scale government purchases of shark meat in Brazil, tracking 1,012 procurements since 2004 that resulted in over 5,400 metric tons of shark meat valued at 112 million reais. The findings were finalists for two Brazilian journalism awards, sparking environmental and public health concerns due to heavy metal accumulation in sharks. The series was reported by Senior Editor Philip Jacobson and reporters Karla Mendes and Fernanda Wenzel, working with Kuang Keng Kuek Ser. A public hearing was requested in Brazil's lower house of Congress, and the fishing industry faces debate over the risks of consuming shark meat.
Key points
- The investigation tracked 1,012 public procurements issued since 2004 to purchase more than 5,400 metric tons of shark meat.
- Sharks accumulate heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic in their tissues, posing health risks, particularly for children.
Context
Mongabay published this investigation in 2025 in collaboration with the Pulitzer Center, highlighting a series of public procurement issues in Brazil. The report details how shark meat was purchased for schools, hospitals, and prisons, raising concerns about environmental and public health impacts.
Limitations
Evidence covers only Brazil; specific city names or regions are not mentioned in the source. Some data points like the exact number of schools or the specific public hearing outcome are not fully detailed in the provided text.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 13/11/2026, 17:22:31 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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