Plastic pollution is outnumbering baby fish 7 to 1: Scientists

A new study conducted by the researchers of the University of California found out that ocean surfaces that act as an important factor for larval fish nurseries to feed and develop over a span of weeks have witnessed toxic prey-sized plastics accumulating on the surface slicks that outnumber baby fishes by seven to one. The troubling issue was revealed after the researchers conducted a study on a baby fish off the coast of Hawaii.

'A human orchestrated attack on the marine ecosystem'

The study stated that the toxic plastic particles accumulate at the ocean's surface and ultimately get mixed with the fish food and the larval fish consume these particles that are detrimental to their lives. 

One of the co-researchers, Jonathan Whitney, said that he and his team were shocked to find so many of their water samples filled with these minuscule plastic elements. It was also said that these toxic plastic items can lead to blockages in the intestine, accumulation of toxic material and malnutrition in an adult fish.

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A threat to the Larval fish population

According to reports, the researchers found out that surface slicks (naturally occurring, ribbon-like, smooth water features at the ocean surface) contained a lot of larval fish that the surface waters in nearby areas. They found that these surface slicks also contained planktons, that were an important food source for the fish. 

The team further discovered that the same surfaces contained toxic floating plastics that weighed nearly eight times more than the amount found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It was also observed that after using the nets to remove the plastic, the toxic materials were found more in surface slicks than the surface water, a few hundred yards away from the site.

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Whitney stated that after his team dissected a few dead fish, they found tiny plastic pieces in their stomachs. Such observations were made in pelagic fishes including the swordfish and mahi-mahi alongside coral reef fishes such as the triggerfish.
A research oceanographer, Dr. Jamison Grove, stated that the larval fish species is the foundation for the functioning of the ecosystem and also act as the future of adult fish populations.

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(With inputs from agencies)