Description:

The problem of the consumption of plastic waste associated with seafood is worrying consumers today and is leading to the launch of very important campaigns for the elimination of such waste in the marine and terrestrial environment. The pollution of the oceans by plastics is already a reality and it has been proven that they are being incorporated into the food chain of many species, with signs of plastic waste being found in the stomachs of animals of all kinds, from large cetaceans, sea turtles and even birds and fish. The concern is associated with the fact that many of these species are part of the human food chain and doubts are being raised as to whether the polluting effect can have adverse effects on human health.

ACUIPLAS is based on the hypothesis that aquaculture fish, as it is not part of the marine food chain in such a marked way, the incidence of plastic waste in aquaculture fish should be much lower, therefore, the idea of developing a project in which this hypothesis can be verified arises. Therefore, technical advice will be carried out for the definition of a work protocol that allows aquaculture fish to be analysed for the presence/absence of plastic waste. In addition, the problems associated with the placing on the market of fishery products with possible high loads of plastic waste will be identified and samples will be taken to identify whether farmed fish is subject to this type of contamination.

From the preliminary result of this project, it is intended to establish a work protocol that allows a more exhaustive study to be carried out for the identification of possible incidences of the presence of plastic waste in aquaculture, proposals for minimization and, if necessary, develop a procedure for the declaration of species free of these pollutants in the event of positive absence studies.

See the project.