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This study presents data on the marine litter occurrence in the stomachs of fish species living in different marine habitats for the Adriatic and NE Ionian Sea macro-region. “Macro-litter” was examined in 614 specimens belonging to 11 species, while micro-litter in 230 specimens belonging to 7 species. The study highlights for the first time the presence of litter in the stomachs of the fish species Citharus linguatula . The occurrence of “macro-litter” in the guts of fish was <3% in both the NE Ionian and N Adriatic but reached 26% in the S Adriatic Sea. Micro-litter occurrence was 40 for the NE Ionian and increased to 87% in the N Adriatic (Slovenian Sea). The ingested “macro” and micro-litter differed among the areas. The marine habitat was found to affect the “macro”-litter ingestion but not the micro-litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses microplastic ingestion in Boops boops at different geographical areas in the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 884 fish were caught at 20 coastal sites in Spain, France, Italy and Greece and analyzed using a common methodological protocol. Microplastics were found in 46.8% of the sampled fish, with an average number of items per individual of 1.17 ± 0.07. Filaments were the predominant shape type, while polyethylene and polypropylene were indicated by FTIR as the most common polymer types of ingested microplastics. The frequency of occurrence, as well as the abundance and proportion of types (size, shape, color and polymer) of ingested microplastics, varied among geographical areas. The spatial heterogeneity of the abundance of ingested microplastics was mainly related to the degree of coastal anthropogenic pressure at the sampling sites. Our findings further support the suitability of B. boops as bioindicator of microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. • High incidence of microplastic ingestion in Boops boops from the Mediterranean Sea • Ingested microplastics were predominantly filaments. • Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common polymers detected. • Frequency of occurrence, abundance and types of microplastics varied spatially. • Microplastic abundance related to coastal anthropogenic pressure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution is a growing cause of concern for the marine environment, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, which is considered to be one of the most polluted seas worldwide. In this study, the gastrointestinal tracts of 102 bogues (Boops boops), sampled from three areas off the Catalan coast (Spain) subject to different degrees of industrialization, were analysed to assess microplastic ingestion and thus estimate local levels of microplastic pollution. Microplastics were detected in 46% of samples analysed. As expected, the abundance and frequency of occurrence of ingested microplastics were higher off the most anthropized area of Barcelona. The majority of ingested microplastics were blue fragments ranging 0.1–0.5 mm, and the most common polymer type was polypropylene. The results of this study indicate the area off Barcelona as a possible area of concentration for microplastics, further supporting the use of B. boops as a bioindicator to assess microplastic pollution. • Levels of microplastic ingestion were assessed in bogues from the Catalan coast. • The occurrence of ingested microplastics was higher in bogues off Barcelona. • Bogues from less anthropized areas had lower amounts of microplastics in their guts. • The bogue is a suitable indicator of microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. Capsule: The results of this study indicate the area off Barcelona as a possible area of concentration of microplastics and support the use of Boops boops as a suitable bioindicator for monitoring microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]