Speed Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Catch of the Day: Assessment of microplastics ingestion and translocation in Tasmanian Sand Flathead (#366)

Lillian Stewart 1 , Alex Bond 2 , Thomas Rodemann 3 , Anna Wrobel-Tobiszewska 4 , Valeriya Komyakova 1
  1. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS, Australia
  2. Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Tring, London, England
  3. Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia
  4. Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia

Plastic pollution has been deemed to exceed planetary boundaries, with concerns rising over microplastic contamination of the marine environment due to their high bioavailability and tendency to penetrate food webs. In fish, microplastics have been linked to increases in oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, accumulation of plastic-related chemicals in muscle tissue, and a range of abnormalities in fish behaviour. Microplastics entering food for human consumption raise concerns for human health. Microplastic contamination of Australian fish species, is poorly understood, with no studies examining this question for Tasmania or for tissues beyond gut content. Using Tasmanian sand flathead as a case species, this research uses best practice laboratory and sophisticated analytical methods (micro-FTIR) to present the first data detailing microplastic ingestion, and potential translocation of microplastic particles into liver and edible tissue in Tasmanian scalefish. This research will determine the extent to which recreationally and commercially valuable species of benthic Tasmanian scalefish is exposed to microplastics; and the degree to which micro-sized particles are translocating to other tissues. This data will provide supporting information to assist in the management and recovery of the depleted species, and will inform the level of risk that may exist to human health from consuming sand flathead.