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Potential impact of meso- and macroplastic ingestion by female dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Southern Mexican Pacific
Summary
Researchers found plastic fibers and fragments in the stomachs of dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) caught off Mexico's Pacific coast, with sharp-edged pieces causing real damage, including inflammation and tissue injury, to some fish stomachs. Since dolphinfish is a popular food fish, this raises questions about how much plastic pollution is working its way up the food chain toward the seafood on our plates, though more research is needed to know what this means for people who eat it.
Due to its position as a mid-to-high trophic level predator and its sensitivity to environmental variables such as water temperature and pollution, Coryphaena hippurus represents a valuable bioecological indicator for monitoring pollution trends by floating plastics near the surface in the marine environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence of meso- and macroplastic ingestion and potential tissue damage in the stomachs of female C. hippurus from the Southeastern Mexican Pacific region. The study included 121 females of dolphinfish caught by sport fishing. Dietary analysis indicated that female dolphinfish fed primarily on fish (55.3% FO), crustaceans (52.6% FO), and cephalopods (36.9% FO). Plastic particles identified in the stomach contents of 22 females included fibers (38.6%) and fragments (34.7%) as the most frequent. The mean concentration of mesoplastic was 3.6 ± 2.6 particles/individual. Histological analysis of three stomachs with plastic ingestion revealed severe mechanical lesions, inflammatory reaction, and severe epithelial vacuolization. Therefore, ingestion of plastics with irregular sharp edges or needle shapes could be associated with increased tissue damage. Females with evident stomach wall lesions showed a poor body condition (Krel < 0.50). However, when all females with and without plastic ingestion are compared, no significant differences were found (p > 0.05). The results of our study will contribute to the increased knowledge about plastic pollution in commercially valuable species, updating the biological information available for future management programs for dolphinfish, emphasizing the need for policies aimed at minimizing plastic consumption and pollution in the TEP.