Maya Ellison
The presence of microplastics in fish is a growing concern, with studies showing that fish are consuming microplastics that float in the water and air, which then accumulate in their bodies. This can lead to health issues for both the fish and humans who consume them. While larger fish tend to contain more microplastics overall, smaller fish have been found to contain more microplastics per gram of tissue. Some fish, such as silver hake, have been found to have zero plastic ingestion rates, while others, like salmon and juvenile Chinook salmon, have been found to contain plastic particles. Fish with shorter lifespans and smaller body sizes, such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, are generally considered to have lower levels of microplastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fish with the least plastic | Silver hake, cod, anchovies, sardines, mackerel |
| Reasons | Silver hake are predators that eat fish that feed from the surface waters where plastics tend to accumulate. Fish with short lifespans and small body sizes tend to have lower levels of microplastics due to their lower position in the food chain. |
| Plastic ingestion rate | 41% of all fish species do not ingest plastics. In cod, the rate was 2%. |
| Plastic ingestion in other food products | Beef, pork, milk, and canned tuna were also found to contain plastic particles. |
| Health effects of consuming microplastics | Microplastics can absorb oily chemicals such as pesticides and methylmercury, which are then absorbed by the fish and other animals that eat them, including humans. The health effects of consuming microplastics through seafood are still being studied. |
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What You'll Learn
Silver hake have a zero percent plastic ingestion rate
Silver hake, a fish species that contributes significant biomass to Northwest Atlantic ecosystems, has been found to have a zero percent plastic ingestion rate. This discovery was made by researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland, who examined the gastrointestinal contents of 134 silver hake caught in 2014 and 2015 on the Grand Banks off the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
The study, led by Max Liboiron, an assistant professor of geography and a specialist in environmental pollution, found no traces of plastic in the digestive tracts of the silver hake. Liboiron's interest in determining plastic consumption in fish stems from the fact that plastics can absorb oily chemicals, which are then absorbed by the fish and can have detrimental effects on the health of humans who consume them.
The findings of zero percent plastic ingestion in silver hake are significant, as it is a species with potential commercial value in human food economies. This discovery highlights that the vulnerability of a species to plastic ingestion can depend on various factors, including geographical region, feeding behavior, ecology, and the presence of plastics in the animal's natural bathymetric feeding range.
It is important to note that while silver hake has shown a zero percent plastic ingestion rate, other fish species have been found to consume plastics. Liboiron's research also studied salmon and capelin caught in Newfoundland and Labrador waters, finding no plastic consumption, but these results were specific to a certain life stage of those fish. Additionally, the plastic ingestion rate for cod off the coast of Newfoundland was found to be low at two percent.
The issue of plastic ingestion in fish is a growing concern, as microplastics can contaminate marine environments and be ingested by marine animals, potentially ending up in the human food chain. While silver hake has shown a zero percent ingestion rate, further studies are recommended to continue monitoring plastic ingestion rates in various fish species and to identify factors contributing to zero percent ingestion rates in specific species.
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41% of fish species don't ingest plastic
It is a known fact that plastic pollution has spread to almost every part of the biosphere. However, a study by Memorial University of Newfoundland found that 41% of all fish species studied in published research do not appear to ingest plastics.
The study, led by Max Liboiron, an assistant professor of geography and a specialist in environmental pollution, examined the gastrointestinal contents of 134 silver hake caught in 2014 and 2015 on the Grand Banks. Liboiron also studied salmon and capelin caught in Newfoundland and Labrador waters and found they weren't consuming plastics either. However, the results were specific to a certain life stage of those fish, as many fish do not eat when they are spawning.
Liboiron's findings are significant because they highlight the fact that not all marine fish eat plastics. This knowledge is important for understanding how to address the issue of plastics in our oceans and for public health and environmental justice work. It also underscores the need for more research on the fate and risks of microplastics in food webs.
While the Memorial University of Newfoundland study found that 41% of fish species do not ingest plastics, other studies have found varying results. For example, a global analysis found that 386 marine fish species have ingested plastic debris, but 148 species studied had no records of plastic consumption. This indicates that while plastic ingestion is widespread, it is not yet universal. The incidence rate of plastic ingested by fish across all studies that accounted for microplastics was 26%, but this has doubled over the last decade, increasing by 2.4% per year.
It is important to note that fish feeding habits are highly variable, and different species, ages, and feeding grounds make some species more or less likely to ingest plastics. For example, demersal species are more likely to ingest plastic in shallow waters, while pelagic species are most likely to consume plastic below the mixed layer. Mobile predatory species and those with higher trophic levels also have a higher likelihood of ingesting plastic.
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Salmon and capelin don't eat plastic while spawning
There is growing concern about the amount of plastic in the world's oceans, and the microplastics that are ending up in the human food chain. Fish absorb the oily chemicals from the plastic, which are then passed on to other animals and humans when the fish are eaten. This has been linked to health problems such as cancer, developmental delays, obesity and thyroid issues.
Some studies have found that certain fish do not seem to consume plastic. Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland found that 41% of all fish species studied did not appear to ingest plastics. They found that silver hake, for example, did not consume plastic.
Salmon and capelin caught in Newfoundland and Labrador waters were also found to not be consuming plastics. However, these results were specific to a certain life stage of those fish. Max Liboiron, who led the study, said:
> When we catch capelin and salmon in this province they are usually spawning, and a lot of fish don't eat when they're spawning, so we don't know if they don't eat plastic all the time, or just at the end of their spawning careers.
Indeed, it is known that spawning salmon do not eat. They store up fat when they are in the ocean, which they use as fuel to get to their spawning grounds. Once they enter freshwater, they stop eating, and their digestive systems shut down. This means that spawning salmon are not eating plastic.
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Tropical fish like southern mullet have the highest plastic ingestion
Plastic ingestion is a significant concern for fish, with microplastics posing a particular threat due to their small size and ease of ingestion. These tiny plastic particles, measuring less than 5mm, can be accidentally consumed by fish, leading to health complications. While the specific health effects of microplastics on fish are still being studied, their presence in the marine food chain is undeniable.
Tropical fish, such as the southern mullet, have been identified as having the highest plastic ingestion rates, especially those that feed on the water's surface. This is attributed to their proximity to plastic debris floating on the ocean surface. The southern mullet, for instance, is a tropical fish species that frequents the ocean surface, making it more likely to encounter and ingest plastic particles.
In contrast, certain fish species have been found to have lower plastic ingestion rates. Notably, the silver hake, a bottom-dwelling fish found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic, has gained attention as a plastic-free fish option. Max Liboiron, a specialist in environmental pollution, examined the gastrointestinal contents of 134 silver hake caught in 2014 and 2015 and found no evidence of plastic consumption. This discovery is significant as it challenges the prevalent doom-and-gloom narrative surrounding fish and plastic ingestion.
Additionally, fish with shorter lifespans and smaller body sizes, such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, tend to have lower levels of microplastics due to their lower position in the food chain. This means that even if they ingest small amounts of plastic, it may not accumulate to the same extent as larger, longer-living fish.
While the southern mullet and similar tropical surface-feeding fish have the highest plastic ingestion rates, it's important to recognize that plastic contamination is a widespread issue affecting various fish species. The presence of microplastics in fish fillets and the food chain underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution in our oceans and its potential impacts on marine life and human health.
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Fish with short lifespans, like anchovies, have lower plastic levels
Fish with shorter lifespans, smaller body sizes, and a lower position in the food chain, such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, are less likely to accumulate high levels of microplastics in their bodies. This is because these species are often filter feeders or grazers, consuming larger volumes of plankton and fewer plastic-containing fish. Additionally, their shorter lifespans mean they have less time to accumulate plastics in their digestive tracts.
The presence of microplastics in fish is a significant concern, with approximately 60% of fish examined globally containing these tiny plastic particles. Plastics in the ocean are ingested by fish and other marine organisms, leading to bioaccumulation as predators consume smaller organisms. This contamination has been found in both bottom-dwellers and pelagic fish, indicating its pervasive nature across different marine environments.
While larger fish tend to contain a higher number of microplastics, studies have shown that smaller fish contain more microplastics per gram of tissue. This highlights the unique behaviour of microplastics as physical particles, which can lead to unhealthier and reduced fish populations due to malnutrition. It also raises concerns about the potential health risks for humans who consume seafood containing traces of plastic.
To reduce plastic consumption and exposure, it is recommended to opt for reusable containers, avoid single-use plastics, and choose sustainable seafood from trusted sources lower on the food chain. Additionally, consuming organic foods and increasing fiber intake can help minimize exposure to toxins and support the body's natural pathways for eliminating them.
While specific data on the plastic content of anchovies may not be prevalent, their shorter lifespans, smaller size, and feeding habits suggest they are likely to have lower plastic levels compared to longer-lived, larger, and higher-level predators in the food chain.
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Frequently asked questions
Fish with short lifespans and small body sizes, such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, are generally considered to have lower levels of plastic due to their lower position in the food chain. Silver hake, which are predators that eat smaller fish, also have a zero percent plastic ingestion rate.
While wild-caught salmon may contain plastic due to their diet of shrimp and anchovies, Alaskan salmon is recommended as a lower-plastic alternative to canned tuna.
Yes, researchers have found that cod caught off the coast of Newfoundland has a low plastic ingestion rate of two percent.
Plastic in fish can be harmful to humans as it can release toxic chemicals that may cause health issues such as cancer, developmental delays, obesity, and thyroid problems.
