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An analysis of ingested microplastics found in offshore Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and inshore capelin (Mallotus villosus) using scientific and citizen science methods
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A study examined microplastic ingestion in offshore Atlantic cod and inshore capelin from Newfoundland, Canada, using both scientific laboratory methods and citizen science approaches. The research expands the list of North Atlantic fish species documented to ingest plastic pollution and tests the viability of community-based monitoring.
Analyzing plastic ingestion rates in fish and other marine organisms is an effective tool to understand the impacts of marine plastic pollution worldwide. As more and more marine organisms ingest plastic pollution, more attention has focused on the ability of local citizens to locate and identify plastics in their food fish. In this study, I expanded the list of species examined for plastic ingestion by adding inshore capelin (Mallotus villosus) and offshore Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Division 3 of Newfoundland, Canada. The frequency of occurrence of plastic ingestion in Atlantic cod and capelin was 1.1%, and 0, respectively. I also examined the success rate of citizens locating and identifying ingested microplastics in fish without the use of scientific tools. I found that citizen scientists can be successfully organised to monitor microplastic in fish.
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Low plastic ingestion rate in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from Newfoundland destined for human consumption collected through citizen science methods
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Researchers examined Atlantic cod from Newfoundland and found a low rate of plastic ingestion compared to studies of other species and regions, suggesting that plastic ingestion rates vary substantially by species, habitat, and local pollution levels.
Low plastic ingestion rate in Atlantic Cod ( Gadus morhua ) from Newfoundland destined for human consumption collected through citizen science methods
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This citizen science study sampled 205 Atlantic cod destined for human consumption in Newfoundland and found that only 5 (2.4 percent) had eaten plastic — a lower ingestion rate than reported for many other fish species. The authors discuss whether cod feeding behavior or the sampling context explains this low rate and note implications for human dietary exposure.
Newfoundland destined for human consumption collected
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Using citizen science during the recreational cod fishery in Newfoundland, researchers found that 2.4% of Atlantic cod sampled had eaten plastic—the second lowest ingestion rate reported in the scientific literature. This is the first documentation of plastic ingestion in fish from Newfoundland, where fisheries are economically and culturally vital.
Low incidence of plastic ingestion among three fish species significant for human consumption on the island of Newfoundland, Canada
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This study reported the first baselines of plastic ingestion in Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon, and capelin from Newfoundland, Canada, finding a low but nonzero frequency of plastic ingestion in these commercially important fish. The data provides a starting point for tracking future changes in microplastic exposure in North Atlantic food fish.
Plastic in digestive tracts and gills of cod and herring from the Baltic Sea
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Researchers found plastic particles in the digestive tracts and gills of Baltic Sea cod and herring, with ingestion rates and particle types differing between the two species, indicating widespread exposure of commercially important fish to plastic pollution.
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.