News Animals

Feeding sharks ‘junk food’ takes a toll on their health

A diet of poor-quality scraps is changing the behavior and physiology of blacktip reef sharks

A blacktip reef shark swims over a reef

Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) on the island of Mo'orea receive food scraps from tourists, but it may not be great for their long-term health.

Johann Mourier

By Jake Buehler

In general, sharks have a reputation as swimming garbage cans that unflinchingly dine on whatever they can fit in their jaws. But in French Polynesia, blacktip reef sharks that frequent places where tourists toss them low-quality scraps are taking a hit to their metabolic and reproductive health, researchers report December 24 in Animal Conservation.