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Double trouble in the South Pacific subtropical gyre: Increased plastic ingestion by fish in the oceanic accumulation zone
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Commercial fish species from the South Pacific, collected from both oceanic accumulation zones and island markets, were found to have plastic in their digestive tracts, with higher ingestion rates in fish from the oceanic gyre. The results raise food safety concerns for Pacific island communities that rely heavily on locally caught fish.
Fish are an important food source for South Pacific (SP) island countries, yet there is little information on contamination of commercial marine fish species by plastic. The aim of our study was to perform a broad-scale assessment of plastic ingestion by fish common in the diet of SP inhabitants. We examined 932 specimens from 34 commercial fish species across four SP locations, and some of the prey they ingested, for the presence of marine plastics. Plastic was found in 33 species, with an average ingestion rate (IR) of 24.3 ± 1.4% and plastic load of 2.4 ± 0.2 particles per fish. Rapa Nui fish exhibited the greatest IR (50.0%), significantly greater than in other three locations. Rapa Nui is located within the SP subtropical gyre, where the concentration of marine plastics is high and food is limited. Plastic was also found in prey, which confirms the trophic transfer of microplastics.
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Ingestion of plastic by fish destined for human consumption in remote South Pacific Islands
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Plastic was found in the digestive tracts of 24 fish species collected from local fishermen and markets across remote South Pacific islands, with species consuming plastic regardless of feeding guild. The results raise public health concerns for Pacific island communities where fish is a dietary staple and plastic marine debris is widespread.
Ingestion of plastic by fish destined for human consumption in remote South Pacific islands
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Researchers documented plastic ingestion in 24 fish species caught for human consumption in the remote South Pacific, finding plastic in fish from both local markets and fishermen's catches. The study raises concerns about microplastic transfer up the food chain to humans who eat these fish.
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Researchers found microplastics in the gut, gills, and flesh of two fish species collected from South Maldives, with 80% of one species containing plastic particles, indicating widespread ingestion by reef fish in this remote island nation and potential transfer into the human food chain.
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.
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Researchers documented frequent ingestion of plastic debris by large predatory pelagic fishes — including mahi-mahi, opah, and swordfish — sampled from the central North Pacific between 2007 and 2012. The findings demonstrate that plastic contamination extends beyond small planktivorous fish and seabirds to apex pelagic predators, with implications for trophic transfer of associated chemical contaminants.
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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.