Microplastics and synthetic microfibres from clothing have been found for the first time in the guts of sharks that live off the UK coast. Scientists examined the stomachs and intestines of 46 seabed-dwelling sharks that had been caught as bycatch by Penzance-based hake fishing trawlers. They found that 67% of the sharks examined contained microplastics or other manmade fibres commonly found in textiles. A total of 379 particles were found.
The scientists examined four species that usually lived near the sea bed: the small-spotted catshark, starry smooth-hound, spiny dogfish and bull huss. Microfibres reach the sea in a multitude of ways including the breakdown of large plastic pieces, fibres shed from car tyres or the washing of synthetic fabrics.
Dr Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “This new research is another reminder that plastic pollution directly affects marine life in UK oceans. Tiny microfibres are less visible than a plastic bottle but we need to make more of a connection between the sea and what we do in our everyday lives, including the clothes we wear and put in the wash. It all becomes part of a soup of ocean plastic.”
Source: Guardian
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