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In this paper, we examined the ingestion of marine debris (MD) in South American fur seals (SAFS), Arctocephalus australis , found dead in coastal beaches of northern Argentina and southern Brazil. Seven percent of 133 SAFS analyzed presented marine debris in their stomach (n = 10), with no differences between sampling countries (Brazil n = 7, Argentina n = 3) and sexes (female = 3; male = 6). However, significant differences were observed between ages classes, with MD exclusively present in stomach contents of young specimens. Plastics represents 90% of MD ingested by the SAFS, whereas regarding the source, fishery-related items (e.g. monofilament lines) were the main MD (70%), with a lesser proportion of packaging (e.g. pieces of bags). Low numbers but large size pieces of MD were found in each stomach affected. Negative effects on the individuals could not be fully evaluated. Therefore, the potential impacts of the marine debris to the SAFS deserve further elucidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examined the ingestion of large marine debris (1 mm–1010 mm) in 21 odontocete species that were found dead or by-caught in low frequency in southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul State) and northern Argentina (Buenos Aires) between 1988 and 2020. Eight percent of the total individuals studied (13 out of 156), representing nine species, had ingested marine debris. Most of items were made of plastics (68 %), and within them, single-use plastic (e.g. plastic bags) were the dominant man-made items. Seven of the nine species that had ingested marine debris have been previously registered ingestion of this pollutant in other areas of their distribution. We also incorporated endemic odontocetes of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean to the list of affected marine organisms: the Burmeister's porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis , and the Lahille's bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops gephyreus. • We examined the ingestion of large marine debris (1mm-1010mm in size) in 156 individuals of 21 odontocetes species in southern Brazil and northern Argentina between 1988 and 2020. • Eight percent (8%) of the individuals, representing nine species, ingested marine debris. • Most of items were made of plastic (68%). • Two species are reported ingesting plastic for the first time: Phocoena spinipinnis and Tursiops gephyreus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plastic debris (PD) ingestion was examined in 106 Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) incidentally captured in artisanal fisheries of the northern coast of Argentina. Twenty-eight percent of the dolphins presented PD in their stomach, but no ulcerations or obstructions were recorded in the digestive tracts. PD ingestion was more frequent in estuarine (34.6%) than in marine (19.2%) environments, but the type of debris was similar. Packaging debris (cellophane, bags, and bands) was found in 64.3% of the dolphins, with a lesser proportion (35.7%) ingesting fishery gear fragments (monofilament lines, ropes, and nets) or of unknown sources (25.0%). PD ingestion correlated with ontogenetic changes in feeding regimes, reaching maximum values in recently weaned dolphins. Because a simultaneous increase in gillnet entanglement and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals take place at this stage, the first months after trophic independence should be considered as a key phase for the conservation of Franciscana dolphin stocks in northern Argentina. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]