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A new study has discovered why some fish eat plastic instead of their prey.
In previous studies, scientists had concluded that fish accidentally eat plastic because the tiny particles resemble fish prey. However, a recent experiment on anchovies led to the crucial discovery that fish may be seeking plastic on purpose.
The study compared the response of anchovies on clean plastic and on pieces of plastic that have been in the sea for a long time. Results showed that anchovies react to plastic debris from the sea similarly to how they react to plankton, their food.
Matthew Savoca, the study’s lead author, explained that when plastic is thrown at sea, it becomes colonized by organisms such as algae / ˈæl dʒi /. These algae release compounds that attract fish to the plastic. Researchers added that factors like odor, color, and shape of plastics make it difficult for fish to distinguish them from food. This is why fish become frequent consumers of plastic debris / dəˈbri /.
Plastic consumption has serious long-term effects on marine animals. Organisms that consume plastic may suffer from internal injuries and may have lower stomach capacity, hindered growth, and blocked intestines.
A professor of marine biology acknowledges that the prevalence of plastic wastes in bodies of water can harm fish. He added that the presence of plastic components in seafood is not yet high enough to have a huge impact on human health. However, it can be a major concern 10 to 20 years from now.