Ingestion of plastic by fish destined for human consumption in remote South Pacific Islands

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.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge assistance received from the following people and organisations. Marcus Haward, Alex Bond, Angus Donaldson, Anthony Wilson, Craig (Macca) Wilson, Ian Hutton, Jack Shick, Jennifer Lavers, Lorna McKinnon, Moana and Richard Friedman, Nicolee Woods, Pawl Warren, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Save Our Shearwaters Foundation, Sue O’Keefe, Titouan Bernicot and family, Trading Consultants LTD, Vaughan Wellington.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Alice K. Forrest has been working in the field of marine plastic pollution for several years, in both research and community outreach. She has worked as a research assistant on many large marine debris research papers, including studies on global oceanic microplastic levels and on the world's most plastic polluted beach, Henderson Island. She believes scientific communication is key to ensuring both the value of science, and working towards a healthier planet. By both participating in, and disseminating scientific knowledge, she hopes to empower people to make informed decisions and access current research and information. Her career background is largely in hands-on conservation, field-work, research and community organising and outreach, including extensive work in remote locations.

Mark Hindell is one of the leading researchers at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), which brings together fisheries scientists, oceanographers, climate scientists, ecologists, and glaciologists from around the world. Using his expertise in connecting large groups of multi-disciplinary researchers, Professor Hindell is also leading the Global Ocean Tracking Synthesis for Marine Management and Conservation project (OTS) – a massive marine survey conducted by an international team of biologists to pinpoint the richest ecological pockets in our oceans. Mark Hindel work to date has been focused on conducting the high quality science and making it available to policy-makers so they can inform practical environmental solutions. Over the past three decades, he has made major contributions to the study of ecological processes and the marine ecosystem, including new hypotheses about how physical processes shape population trajectories; innovative data-acquisition methodologies to tackle the unique challenges of Antarctic environments; and significant advances in knowledge regarding specific species and the ecosystems the sustain.

ORCID

Alice K. Forrest http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1184-9136

Mark Hindell http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7823-7185