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Well-Being of the Baltic Herring and Bycatch Fish Species from FAO Major Fishing Areas 27 According to Microplastic Pollution
Summary
Researchers assessed the well-being of Baltic herring and bycatch species using condition factors and novel gill and gut indices, finding microplastics in all species examined, with contamination rates ranging from 21 to 79 percent. Fish from different basins showed varying condition scores and microplastic burdens, though no consistent negative correlation between microplastic presence and fish health was established. The study provides baseline data for monitoring how microplastic pollution may affect commercially important fish populations in the Baltic Sea.
Condition factors are essential in fishery science. They provide insights into fish well-being according to the impact of environmental stressors. The Fulton condition factor (K) and hepatosomatic index (HSI), as well as two new indices (GILSI and GITI), were used to assess the well-being of herring and bycatch species (cod, flounder, sprat, long-spined bullhead, lumpfish) from the Baltic Sea. For Cyclopterus lumpus and Taurulus bubalis, K and HSI values were reported for the first time. Fish from different basins differed according to biometric measures (weight: 6.09-750.12 g; length: 8.6-41.8 mm) and condition indices (mean K: 1.19; HSI: 0.02; GITI: 0.04; GILSI: 0.03). Microplastics (MPs) were found in all species (21% (sprat)-79% (lumpfish)), averaging 3.1 items/fish. The organ-wise analysis revealed that 46% of the gills, 16% of the livers, and 38% of the gastrointestinal tracts were contaminated with MPs. The relationship between these indices and MPs abundance in the organs of herring was examined using PCA, revealing a negative impact of MPs on fish health. The morphometric features and the chemical composition of MPs were also detected. The dominant size ranges were 0.11-0.5 mm (30%) and 1.01-5 mm (28%). Blue fibers were the most common.
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