Microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of larval fish assemblages from coastal waters in southwestern Taiwan

Microplastics in Juvenile Commercial Fish from an Estuarine Environment

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Juvenile commercial fish from an estuarine environment were found to have ingested microplastics, demonstrating that plastic contamination affects fish at early life stages in transitional coastal ecosystems rather than only in open ocean habitats. Since estuaries serve as nurseries for many commercially important species, microplastic ingestion by juveniles threatens both fish population health and the safety of seafood reaching consumers.

Microplastic in fish – A global synthesis

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A global synthesis of microplastic ingestion data from marine, freshwater, and estuarine fish found that 49% of sampled fish worldwide had ingested plastic, averaging 3.5 pieces per fish, with freshwater fish and those from aquaculture sources showing higher ingestion rates than wild marine fish. This comprehensive analysis reveals that microplastic contamination of fish — a primary human protein source globally — is now the rule rather than the exception, underscoring urgent risks to food safety.

Microplastics Ingestion by Fish Species in Thailand’s Aquatic Ecosystems

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Researchers synthesized data from 175 assessments of plastic ingestion by fish species across Thailand's aquatic habitats, revealing widespread microplastic occurrence and raising significant concerns about ecosystem health and the potential transfer of plastic contaminants to humans through seafood consumption.

Prevalence and Characterization of Ingested Microplastics in Coastal Fish in South Korea

Microplastic Ingestion by Fish with Different Feeding Habits from Different Habitats in a Typical Semi-Enclosed Haizhou Bay

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A study of eight fish species in China's Haizhou Bay found microplastic detection rates of 53–80% across species, with benthic and omnivorous fish accumulating significantly more MPs than pelagic or predatory fish, and PET, polyamide, and polystyrene linked to marine aquaculture and port construction. Feeding behavior and habitat depth are key determinants of MP accumulation, with bottom-dwelling fish consuming prey that carries greater plastic loads from contaminated sediment layers.