Biotox Lab

🐟 "Is eating salmon dangerous?" — a question that reached newsrooms and science in equal measure.

A new Swedish study showed that co***ne entering rivers via wastewater alters the behaviour of salmon. The question landed with the press — and with Vanessa Fonseca (Biotox Lab Co-PI), researcher at MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (ARNET - Aquatic Research Network) and Professor at the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

Her response is a masterclass in science communication: no dramatisation, no oversimplification — just rigour and context.

Yes, Portugal has evidence of co***ne in the Tagus and Douro estuaries. Yes, neuroactive pharmaceuticals accumulate in fish from our coastal waters. But no, there is no reason for alarm about eating salmon — the direct risk to consumers is very low based on current evidence.

What is genuinely concerning is the ecological impact: fish whose behaviour is altered may migrate, reproduce and survive differently. And co***ne is just the tip of the iceberg — antidepressants, antibiotics and other compounds complete a picture of aquatic chemical pollution that urgently needs systematic monitoring.

As Vanessa puts it: keeping ecosystems healthy is also keeping ourselves healthy.

Well done, Vanessa — for the work and for the way you communicate it. 👏

🔗 https://versa.iol.pt/salmao/cocaina/estudo-alerta-para-efeitos-da-cocaina-no-salmao-e-quem-come-o-peixe-a-ciencia-responde-sem-duvidas/20260428/69f08b7cd34e28842c836ac5



Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente
ARNET - Aquatic Research Network

Afinal, comer salmão é perigoso? Estudo alerta para efeitos da co***na neste peixe e ciência esclarece tudo Foi publicado um novo estudo que alerta para os efeitos que os resíduos de co***na que entram por águas residuais podem ter nos salmões. É uma preocupação real? E pode afetar quem come este tipo de peixe? Esclarecemos as dúvidas com Vanessa Fonseca, Professora de Ciências ULisboa e investig...

Last Friday, 13 March, we participated in the Fórum para a Investigação no Oceano (FIO) / Ocean Research Forum, held at the Universidade de Aveiro, where Bernardo Duarte was responsible for presenting the results of the working group on Pollution and Coastal Impacts and the challenges for the next 10 years within this area.

This forum was an important opportunity to bring together the scientific community, including the 5 major research centres in Ocean Science (MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Ciimar, CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Centro de Ciencias do Mar (CCMAR), Okeanos - Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar) and decision-makers around a shared goal: defining a strong and forward-looking vision for ocean research in Portugal over the next decade.

Within the Pollution and Coastal Impacts working group, the message was clear: addressing the multiple pressures affecting our coastal and marine ecosystems requires a shift from reactive responses to a more predictive, preventive, and restorative approach. This means strengthening long-term monitoring, investing in innovation, improving collaboration across institutions and sectors, and ensuring that scientific knowledge effectively supports public policy and coastal management.

It is very encouraging to see that the discussions held during this forum were echoed in the national and regional press, reinforcing the urgent need for a coordinated strategy for marine research, stronger scientific collaboration, and greater investment in the knowledge base needed to support a truly sustainable Blue Economy.

Our congratulations to all colleagues and institutions involved in organizing and contributing to this important initiative. The ocean needs science — but it also needs strategic vision, political commitment, and the collective ability to translate knowledge into action and impact.

Follow-up news coverage:
- Science points the way toward a sustainable Blue Economy (https://www.jn.pt/pais/artigo/ciencia-aponta-caminho-para-economia-azul-sustentavel/18061943)
- Strategy for ocean research over the next decade discussed in Aveiro (https://www.jn.pt/pais/artigo/estrategia-para-investigar-o-mar-na-proxima-decada-discutida-em-aveiro/18061037)
- Scientists call for more collaboration and resources for marine sciences (https://www.diarioaveiro.pt/2026/03/14/cientistas-querem-mais-colaboracoes-e-recursos-para-as-ciencias-do-mar/)



Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente
ARNET - Aquatic Research Network

🔎 Expression of Interest | FCT 2026 PhD Scholarships — BIOTOX Lab

The Biomonitoring and Ecotoxicology Laboratory (BIOTOX) is collecting expressions of interest from potential applicants to the FCT 2026 Academic Environment PhD Scholarships, aiming to develop their doctoral research project at BIOTOX.

After reviewing submissions, selected candidates will be contacted to prepare and submit their applications.

🧪 Three project tracks:
Ecotoxicology — developing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to assess exposome ecotoxicity of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) using marine sentinel organisms.
Seafood Traceability — applying optical and biochemical tags to evaluate the provenance of seafood products from the Portuguese Coast.
Marine Microbiology — isolating and testing marine bacteria and fungi consortia from contaminated environments as biosolutions for plastic degradation in marine ecosystems.

✅ Eligibility: Master’s degree (Portuguese institution or recognized in Portugal).
⭐ Preferred: at least one scientific publication.
📄 Submit via the form: Motivation letter + CV (recommendation letter optional).

➡️ Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/260621563784057



MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente
ARNET - Aquatic Research Network
Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa

Manifestação de Interesse a Candidaturas ao Programa de Bolsas de Doutoramento FCT 2026 / Expression of Interest in Applications for the FCT 2026 PhD Grant Programme Por favor, clique no link para preencher este formulário.