Should stingrays be on the menu? Significant human health risks associated to the consumption of the endangered Groovebelly Stingray (Dasyatis hypostigma) in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Elasmobranchs, a group encompassing sharks and rays, face significant threats worldwide due to capture as bycatch and environmental contamination. They are, however, highly consumed in several regions, including in Southeastern Brazil, potentially leading to human health risks. This is the case for the endangered Groovebelly Stingray (Dasyatis hypostigma), although no studies assessing human health risks due to the consumption of this species are available to date.

Methodology

In this sense, several metals and metalloids were analyzed in the muscle tissue of 28 Groovebelly Stingray specimens sampled incidentally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the main human health risk indices were calculated. A total of 16 elements were evaluated, including Hg and MeHg, plus a best and worst-case scenario of inorganic As levels of 1 % and 10 %, for all proposed risk indices, human age groups, and sexes.

Results

Differences in risk are evident between age groups, even at the lowest intake frequency of once a week. Furthermore, all calculated risks showed worrying results at some point, whether in relation to consumption frequency, element or sex. The most alarming scenario is noted for As, where the worst-case scenario (As 10 %) for the EDI for infants reached more than 8-fold the adult values for men and 7-fold the adult values for women.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the meat of this endangered ray should not be consumed, also comprising an indirect conservation strategy, as awareness of these risks can encourage safer eating practices by consumers.