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A global synthesis of microplastic contamination in wild fish species: Challenges for conservation, implications for sustainability of wild fish stocks and future directions
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Researchers conducted a global synthesis analyzing 260 field studies covering over 1,000 fish species and found that microplastics have been recorded in 830 wild fish species, including 606 species important to commercial fisheries. Among the affected species, 34 are classified as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. The study highlights that microplastic contamination is widespread across wild fish populations, with implications for both conservation and food safety.
Research on the occurrence of microplastics in wild fish populations is a constantly growing area, requiring continuous reviews to properly keep up with the fast pace of publications and guide future work. This review analyses the scientific output of 260 field studies covering 1053 different fish taxa for the presence of microplastics. To date, microplastics have been recorded in 830 wild fish species, including 606 species of interest to commercial and subsistence fisheries. Among these, based on IUCN Red List status, 34 species are globally classified in one of the three threatened categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) and another 22 species were assessed as "Near Threatened". Of the species for which the IUCN Red List tracks population trend data, the fish species reported to have microplastics so far include 81 which are recorded as declining, 134 as stable and just 16 as increasing. This review highlights the potential implications of fish microplastic contamination to biodiversity conservation, sustainability of wild fish stocks, and human food safety and security. Finally, recommendations for future research are presented.
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Microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish: Global trends, challenges and perspectives
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This global review analyzed 144 studies on microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish across 45 countries and found that 450 fish species were contaminated, including 35 species on the conservation Red List. Microplastics were most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, with fibers and fragments being the dominant shapes. The evidence indicates that freshwater fish worldwide are widely exposed to microplastic pollution, with potential implications for both aquatic ecosystems and human seafood consumption.
MPs in fish species
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Researchers compiled a global dataset of microplastic-contaminated fish species spanning thousands of species across six continents, integrating taxonomic, spatial, and ecological dimensions to provide a comprehensive resource for understanding the scope of microplastic ingestion in fish.
MPs in fish species
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compiled a global dataset of microplastic-contaminated fish species spanning thousands of species across six continents, integrating taxonomic, spatial, and ecological dimensions to provide a comprehensive resource for understanding the scope of microplastic ingestion in fish.
Worldwide contamination of fish with microplastics: A brief global overview
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A literature review from March 2019 to March 2020 synthesized worldwide data on microplastic contamination in fish, finding that a median of 60% of fish from 198 species across 24 countries contained microplastics in their organs. Carnivorous species ingested more microplastics than herbivores, consistent with trophic transfer and bioaccumulation through food webs.
Microplastics in Fish: A Comprehensive Review
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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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.