Plastic found in stomachs of large fish in Mediterranean Sea

Researchers at the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) in Italy investigated the incidence of plastic debris in the stomachs of large fish living in the pelagic zone (the water not in contact with the coast or the sea floor) of the Mediterranean. Of the 123 swordfish, bluefin tuna and albacore studied, 22 had plastic fragments in their stomachs - approximately 18%.
The Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) substances added to plastic during its production can also have additional toxic effects on fish. An article about the research is published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin (News Alert Science for Environment Policy, 16 July 2015).
Click here for the news alert (241 kB).
Click here for an abstract of the published article.

If you have any questions about this subject, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411. This item is also included in our monthly overview, the NVC Members-only Update.