Fish mistaking plastic debris in ocean for food, study finds

Behavioural evidence suggests marine organisms are not just ingesting microplastics by accident but actively seeking them out as foodFish may be actively seeking out plastic debris in the oceans as the tiny pieces appear to smell similar to their natural prey, new research suggests.The fish confuse plastic for an edible substance because microplastics in the oceans pick up a covering of biological material, such as algae, that mimics the smell of food, according to thestudy published on Wednesdayin the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Marine life Plastics Fishing Environment Wildlife Oceans Science Zoology Source Type: news