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Ingestion of Microplastics by Ichthyofauna in the Southern Coastline of Cameroon
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This Cameroonian study found microplastics in the stomachs of three commercially important fish species caught along the southern coast of Cameroon, with 18.4% of 374 fish examined containing anthropogenic particles — raising concerns about seafood safety and marine pollution in West African coastal waters.
The study was designed to provide evidence of microplastic ingestion, abundance and composition in the catches of Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Pseudotolithus typus and Ethmalosa fimbriata in the dockyard of Londji and Mboa-manga on the Southern Coastline of Cameroon. The methodology involved visual observation and identification of anthropogenic particles in the stomach content (SC) and an extraction procedure involving hypochlorite digestion and isolation. In this study 45(18.37%) of a total 372 of the E. fimbriata and Pseudotolithus sp had ingested microplastics. We also found a majority abundance of 12 microplastic particle in four size classes [18-21] cm for E. fimbriata, and 20 and 23 microplastic particles in six size classes [40-45] cm and [35-39] cm for P. senegalensis and P. typus respectively. The average percentage composition of the microplastics included rope filaments (23%), fishing lines (47%), strings (13 %), pieces of plastic cloth (9%) and others (8%) with a colour diversity of white, red, yellow, grey and light blue. The results provided an improved evidence base to support policy and management decisions on measures to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies for plastic debris in the Southern coastline of Cameroon.
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Researchers found microplastics in the stomachs of three small pelagic fish species caught along the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast, confirming plastic ingestion in commercially important species in a region where marine litter is predominantly plastic. The study adds to growing evidence of microplastic contamination in North African Atlantic fisheries.
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercially important fish species from the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana, for microplastic contamination. The study found that 68% of the fish contained microplastics, with fibers being the most common type, raising concerns about potential human exposure through seafood consumption in the region.
Microplastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish species from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, off the Coast of Ghana
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Researchers found microplastics in three pelagic and demersal fish species off Ghana's Atlantic coast, with Sardinella maderensis showing the highest ingestion rate (41%) and industrially produced pellets being the most dominant particle type at 31%. The study confirms widespread microplastic contamination in West African fish stocks and calls for further regional research.
Microplastic abundance in three commercial fish from the coast of Lima, Peru
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Researchers found microplastics in the stomachs and intestines of three commercially important fish species caught off the coast of Lima, Peru. The results confirm that microplastic ingestion is widespread among fish commonly consumed by humans in South American coastal communities.
Widespread microplastic ingestion in Colombian Caribbean marine fish: Trophic influence, spatial-temporal trends, and polymer composition
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.