First record of microplastics ingestion by European hake <scp><i>MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS</i></scp> from the Tyrrhenian Sicilian coast (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

A sample of 67 European hake Merluccius merluccius were examined to highlight the ingestion of microplastics in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In all samples, 31 black fibres were found in the stomach contents corresponding to 46.3% of the specimens. The data presented here could be important for the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Mediterranean waters.