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First record of microplastics ingestion by European hake MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS from the Tyrrhenian Sicilian coast (Central Mediterranean Sea)
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Microplastics, specifically black synthetic fibers, were found in the stomachs of 46% of European hake examined from the Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily. Since hake is a commercially important food fish, this raises concerns about human microplastic exposure through seafood consumption.
A sample of 67 European hake Merluccius merluccius were examined to highlight the ingestion of microplastics in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In all samples, 31 black fibres were found in the stomach contents corresponding to 46.3% of the specimens. The data presented here could be important for the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Mediterranean waters.
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