Ingestion mornitoring of plastic debris in commercial marine fish species

Abstract

Plastic pollution and its potential impacts on humans and the marine ecosystem become a global concern. This study is the first study examining the plastic ingestion in the commercially important species in west costal area of Korea (Buan and Mokpo). In six commercial fish species (Paralichthys dentatus, Sebastes schlegelii, Stephanolepis cirrhifer, Hemitripterus villosus, Okamejei kenojei, Lophiomus setigerus) were assessed the plastic pollution in gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The ingestion frequency of plastic (size: 1mm < ) in the GIT varied between 0% and 8 % depending on the species. The highest plastic abundance in the GIT was estimated in Lophiomus setigerus (Buan: 8 % and Mokpo: 7 %) followed by Stephanolepis cirrhifer (Buan: 5 %). Most of the ingested plastic size and type were range of 5~10 mm (60 %) and fragment (87 %) in shape. Major identified polymers were polypropylene (47 %), polyethylene (33 %), expanded polystyrene (13 %). Plastic ingestion of important commercial fish can affect humans depending on the food chain, so the results of our study can help with potential plastic contamination and management in the marine environment.