Low incidence of plastic ingestion among three fish species significant for human consumption on the island of Newfoundland, Canada

Abstract This study reports the first baselines of plastic ingestion for three fish species that are common food fish in Newfoundland, Canada. Species collections occurred between 2015-2016 for Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ), Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ), and capelin ( Mallotus villosus ). The frequency of occurrence (%FO) of plastic ingestion for both spawning Atlantic salmon ( n =69) and capelin ( n =350) was 0%. Of the 1,010 Atlantic cod collected over two years, 17 individuals had ingested plastics, a %FO of 1.68%. This is the only multi-year investigation of plastic ingestion in Atlantic cod for the Northwest Atlantic, and the first for capelin and salmon in the region. Considering the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of these fish species, this study is the beginning of a longitudinal study of plastic ingestion to detect future changes in contamination levels. Highlights Ingestion rate (%FO) of plastics in Atlantic cod is 1.68% Ingestion rate (%FO) of plastics in Atlantic salmon and capelin is 0% First study of plastic ingestion rates in Atlantic salmon and capelin Multi-year baseline of plastic ingestion in Atlantic cod in the Northwest Atlantic Plastic ingestion rates for three food fish species in Newfoundland, Canada, are low Terms Frequency of occurrence (%FO): the number of individuals in a population or group that have ingested plastics (not indicative of the number of particles ingested per individual)