Marine biologist Tom Hird is diving deep into the potential effects of illicit drugs on marine life, specifically sharks, in a new Discovery Channel documentary for Shark Week titled "Cocaine Sharks." The study investigates whether sharks off the Florida coast might be ingesting cocaine bales discarded by drug smugglers.

Hird, also known as "The Blowfish," emphasized the broader issue of chemical pollutants and drugs entering our waterways and oceans, and their potential impact on delicate ecosystems. He told Live Science, "The deeper story here is the way that chemicals, pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are entering our waterways — entering our oceans — and what effect that they then could go on to have on these delicate ocean ecosystems."

For decades, bricks of cocaine from South and Central America have washed ashore on Florida beaches, discarded by smugglers. Hird's investigation took him to the Florida Keys, where fishermen have reported strange shark behavior.

In one experiment, Hird and University of Florida environmental scientist Tracy Fanara created dummy cocaine bales. They observed sharks directly interacting with the packages, even biting and carrying them away.

A separate experiment involved creating a concentrated fish powder "bait ball" designed to simulate a cocaine-induced dopamine rush. The sharks exhibited noticeably heightened activity in response.

While the experiments suggested a potential reaction to the stimuli, Hird cautioned against definitive conclusions. He stressed the need for further research and repeated trials to confirm whether sharks are actually consuming cocaine and the extent of its effects.