Researchers discovered that larval perch that had access to micro-plastic particles only ate plastic and ignored their natural food source of free-swimming zooplankton.
Where does microplastic come from? Some toothpastes and beauty products contain "microbeads", made from plastic. Their original intent is to help exfoliate skin and polish teeth, but what happens to these plastics after they go down the sink? They are ending up in fish and birds! These are being banned in the USA, but are still prevalent in Australian products such as that pictured.
Read more –
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160602151735.htm
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.
Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
This may have a back door good effect. As the larva like to eat small spherical objects maybe the larva feed researchers and manufactures can make encapsulated feed, emulating the micro plastic beads. This might eliminate dependence on live feed.
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True.
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I watched an interesting story on this on ABC’S Catalyst a few months ago: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4424996.htm
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