First evidence of microplastic ingestion by crescent perch (Terapon jarbua) in Malaysia

Microplastics are plastic debris smaller than 5 mm in size. In recent decades, the issue of microplastics contamination in marine organisms from the marine environment has gained more attention. This study focuses on the occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the crescent perch (Terapon jarbua). Sixty-two crescent perch were collected from four locations in Malaysia: Sungai Besar and Kuala Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Kuantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and Mukah in East Malaysia. Microplastics were found in the GIT in 82% of the samples with a mean value ranging from 1.46 ± 0.60 to 2.25 ± 1.26 particles/ind. Microplastics contamination in samples from Mukah was significantly higher than in samples from Kuala Selangor. The increased number of ingested microplastics could be attributed to the higher levels of microplastics contamination present in the coastal waters of Mukah due to the anthropogenic activities taking place there. The extracted particles were predominantly fibres, followed by fragment, and film. The microplastics ingested by crescent perch were primarily blue and black. μ-FTIR tests showed that the most common polymers found in crescent perch were rayon, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene. The findings from this study provide initial evidence that microplastic contamination is emerging as a threat to crescent perch and the Malaysian water ecosystem. Further investigations into microplastics contamination in fish in Malaysia are required, as microplastics exposure to fish can induce adverse effects on the species and the food web.