Not Good: These Fish Have Been Eating Toxic Plastic Trash in the Ocean

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:05:20 PDT

Scientists have discovered that roughly 60 percent of Opah—one of Hawaii's most popular commercial fish—have been eating plastic trash in the ocean, and that may be jeopardizing the species and could have negative health repercussions for consumers.

The plastic alone isn't a problem, but these tidbits of refuse absorb a "cocktail of contaminants" in the sea, from organic chemicals like pesticides to metals including lead and copper, according to research from the University of California, Davis. 

So the question remains: if 60 percent of Opah have potentially toxic plastics in their bellies, does eating them putting people at risk?

"We have no idea if [pollutants] are high in fish in Hawaii just yet," Jeffrey Drazen, an oceanography professor at UH, told Hawaii News Now June 10. His department discovered the prevalence of plastic in the Opah diet.

"I think something we should be looking for is increase in these contaminants over time. Things we like to eat, we should start monitoring these things a little more closely," Drazen said.

Related stories on TakePart:

• In South America, Plastic Trash Will Be as Good as Money

• China to U.S.: Your Seafood Is Toxic, and We Refuse to Buy It

• Here's What's Being Done to Test Seafood for Radiation After Fukushima

• In the Aftermath of Radiation, Is Fish From the Pacific Ocean Safe to Eat?

Original article from TakePart