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Impacts of microplastic on fisheries and seafood security — Global analysis and synthesis
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A global review of 10 years of research found that microplastics contaminate over 900 seafood species worldwide, with Asian seafood being the most affected. Microplastics accumulate in fish skin, gills, organs, and muscles, and are even found in dried and canned fish products. Since microplastics can carry heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals, eating contaminated seafood is a significant pathway for human exposure to these pollutants.
This review paper collected, collated, analysed, interpreted, synthesised, and documented the research investigations conducted on microplastic (MPs) pollution impacts on seafood organisms (including fish, sharks, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, oysters, mussels, and seaweeds) during the last ten years (2012-2022) covering fifty-seven locations/countries in the world. MPs contaminated 926 seafood species comprising 895 finfish, 09 crustaceans, 20 molluscs and 02 seaweeds. Seafood from Asia was found to be most contaminated with MPs. High MP contamination/ingestion was revealed in several seafood organisms. The ingestion of MPs can reduce fish growth and fish fitness, leading to reduced yield/fish production. Fish and seafood play a significant role in supporting the economy, employment, food sources, and livelihoods of people across the globe, which can be threatened due to the contamination of seafood organisms with MPs. MPs have bioaccumulated in fish skin, gills, stomachs, liver, intestine, and muscles as well as dry fish and canned fish. Hence, the consumption of MP-contaminated fresh fish, whole fish, dried fish or canned fish poses risks as it may be a pathway of MP transfer to humans. MPs can increase the health risks to seafood fish consumers since there is a probability that high risks pollutants adsorbed on MPs (heavy metals, pesticides, and oil compounds) can transfer to humans via the food chain. Several of the chemicals (heavy metals, DDT, PAHs) adsorbed onto MPs are carcinogenic. MPs have also been detected in fish meals, therefore, farmed livestock such as aquaculture fish and chicken fed to fish meals can be exposed to MPs and ultimately to humans. Preventive and safety measures are suggested to reduce the exposure of MPs to humans. In addition, several policy strategies are recommended to reduce the impacts of plastic waste and plastic pollution on the environment, aquatic biota, wildlife, seafood and human health.
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic bits (microplastics) have been found in over 900 types of seafood, especially in Asian waters, and can build up as you go up the food chain, meaning bigger fish (and the people who eat them) may end up with more plastic exposure. These particles have been shown to harm fish health, causing problems like stress, poor growth, and reproductive issues, but there are currently no official safety limits for microplastics in food, which the authors argue needs to change to protect both fish populations and the people who rely on seafood.
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This review synthesizes research on microplastics in fish, covering contamination sources, detection methods, and impacts on wild and farmed populations globally — and examining how plastic particles in fish tissues may transfer to humans through seafood consumption.
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This review summarizes research from 2010 to 2023 on microplastic contamination in fish and its potential implications for human health. Researchers found that microplastics are ingested by fish across diverse aquatic environments, with particles accumulating in the gastrointestinal tract and other tissues. The study highlights concerns that microplastic-contaminated seafood may represent a pathway for human exposure to both the plastic particles and associated chemical pollutants.
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