Microplastics in fish and fishmeal: an emerging environmental challenge?

Abstract Microplastics are contaminants of emerging concern; they ingested by marine biota. About a quarter global fish landings is used to produce fishmeal for animal and aquaculture feed. To provide knowledge foundation this matrix we reviewed the existing literature studies microplastics in fishmeal-relevant species. 55% were deemed unsuitable due focus on large (> 1 mm), lack of, or limited contamination control polymer testing techniques. Overall, species exhibit 0.72 microplastics/individual, with generally only assessing digestive organs. We validated density separation method effectiveness microplastic extraction from medium assessed two commercial products microplastics. Recovery rates range dosed whitefish samples 71.3 ± 1.2%. Commercial contained 123.9 16.5 per kg fishmeal—mainly polyethylene—including 52.0 14.0 microfibres—mainly rayon. Concentrations processed seem higher than captured fish, suggesting potential augmentation during production process. Based conservative estimates, over 300 million particles (mostly < mm) could be released annually oceans through alone. Fishmeal both source environment, directly exposes organisms human consumption these particles.