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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
Summary
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.