THE occurrence of plastic ingestion by fish is increasing worldwide. However, there are very few studies focusing on the ingestion of “macro” (>20 mm) and “mega” (>100 mm) plastics in pelagic predatory fish, particularly in Australian waters.
New study, The ingestion of large plastics by recreationally caught southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii off southern Australia, authors Jonah Yick (Tasmanian Inland Fisheries Service/Tuna Champions scientific ambassador) and Toby Travers (Australian Antarctic Division) are both keen recreational fishers. While fishing off the east coast of Tasmania, they discovered a large piece of plastic ingested by a southern bluefin tuna (SBT). This led them to publish this observation (as well as two other cases of plastic ingestion in SBT) in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.
“Despite the large obstructive shapes of the pieces of plastic,” the authors write, “all three specimens possessed a healthy body mass, with one actively feeding at the time of capture.” They stress, however, that more research needs to be undertaken to understand the prevalence and consequences of marine plastic pollution.
Study available through purchase at Marine Pollution Bulletin: www.sciencedirect.com
