Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Microplastics pollution from lost fishing gear in Valencian coastal
By Romeo L et al.·2026·Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, Italy·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Microplastics in Sediments Originating from Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Coastal Areas of the Valencian Community.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, like nets, contributes to pollution from tiny plastic pieces called microplastics in coastal areas of Spain. Researchers collected sediment samples from places with fishing nets and compared them to areas without nets. They found that the sites with fishing gear had much higher levels of microplastics. This shows a clear connection between the fishing nets and the buildup of these tiny plastics in the environment. The study emphasizes the need to find ways to manage and recover discarded fishing gear to protect marine ecosystems.
Abstract
The increasing presence of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) on the seafloor is a major source of microplastics (MPs) pollution in coastal ecosystems. This study assessed the concentration, morphology, and chemical composition of MPs in surface sediments collected from Alicante and Benidorm, in the Valencian Community, eastern coast of Spain, Mediterranean Sea. Impacted sites with fishing nets were compared to control sites without nets. Two analytical techniques were used for polymer identification, depending on particle size: micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (µFTIR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The results showed significantly higher MPs concentrations in sites affected by ALDFG. The findings highlight a clear link between the presence of fishing nets and MPs accumulation in sediments. This underlines the urgent need for mitigation strategies and recovery of discarded fishing gear. This study addresses a gap in the literature regarding MPs contamination on rocky coastal substrates and calls for further research to assess the long-term ecotoxicological impacts on marine ecosystems.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41744609