| Title |
First Evidence of Potential Microplastic Ingestion of Yellow Striped Goat Fish Upeneus vitattus (Forsskal, 1775) Caught in Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines |
|
Authors |
Michael Jeriel I. Bersaldo, Maria Lourdes Dorothy G. Lacuna, Maria Luisa S. Orbita, Annielyn D. Tampus, Pedro M. Avenido, Edison D. Macusi |
|
Publication date |
2024 |
|
Journal |
ILMU KELAUTAN: Indonesian Journal of Marine Sciences |
| Volume |
Volume 29 |
| Issue |
Issue 1 |
| Pages |
48-60 |
| Publisher |
Marine Science Department, Diponegoro University and Association of Indonesian Coastal Management Experts (HAPPI) |
| Abstract |
Microplastic (MP) study in the Philippines is gaining attention because of the recent trends in macro-microplastic
study worldwide and there is already a call for research to help the degrading marine environment in the country.
No study in Malita, Davao Occidental was conducted to document microplastic contamination. To address this gap,
30 goat fishes collected in 6 sampling stations were dissected and microplastic were extracted, counted, and
characterized. Results revealed that 96.67% of samples were contaminated with microplastic. In terms of
microplastic type, fiber was most dominant than fragments, in microplastic hue, color black was the most common
and microplastic with size ranging from 50 to 500碌m were usually observed. Comparable amount of microplastic
was obtained in fish guts across stations (P>0.05) which means that fish ingestion of microplastic were evident in
the area. Based on Correlation, the length (r2=0.13), wet weight (r2=0.17) and gut wet weight (r2=0.29) of the fish
does not tell the amount of microplastic ingested by each yellow stripped goat fish since there is a weak relationship
between the two parameters. The result suggests, Malita鈥檚 seawater is already polluted with microplastic and
demersal fishes that practice high site fidelity were very susceptible to microplastic ingestion. A stronger solid waste
management policy must be implemented and activities such coastal clean ups and information drives must be
initiated by all stakeholders. Further, microplastic investigation in seawater and sediments must be conducted to
have a more detailed study of the whole extent of microplastic contamination in Malita, Davao Occidental. |
| Index terms / Keywords |
fragments, fiber, fisheries, goat fish, plastic ingestion, plastic pollution |
| DOI |
DOI:10.14710/ik.ijms.29.1.48-60 |
| URL |
|
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology