Alice K. Forrest & Mark Hindell (2018) Ingestion of plastic by fish
destined for human consumption in remote South Pacific Islands,
Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, DOI:
10.1080/18366503.2018.1460945

ABSTRACT:

Plastic marine debris is increasingly recognised as one of the greatest
threats to global oceans, and the humans who depend on them. This study
documents plastic ingestion in 24 species caught or sold for human
consumption in the South Pacific. Fish were collected from local
fishermen and markets in remote locations, including French Polynesia,
Lord Howe Island and Henderson Island (Pitcairn group). Gastrointestinal
tracts of 126 fish were visually examined and plastic was found in 7.9%
of individual fish and 25% of species. The plastics were mostly
microplastics (fragments, nurdles and rope). There was no significant
difference in plastic ingestion in relation to feeding style, length,
region or species. This is concerning as plastic appears to be
widespread across species, lifestyles and habitats. This is the first
report of plastic in South Pacific fish, raising concerns about the
transfer of pollutants in a region that is largely oceanic and heavily
dependent on seafood. The remote locations of the study also provide
evidence of the widespread nature of this issue.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dCwimvEQ-SkMwPnOUn2f-KhYqCHQjStT
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18366503.2018.1460945

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