Plastic impact on sharks and rays
Lipej, L.; Cumani, F.; Acquavita, A.; Bettoso, N. (2022). Plastic impact on sharks and rays, in: Bonanno, G. et al. Plastic pollution and marine conservation: Approaches to protect biodiversity and marine life. pp. 153-185. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822471-7.00005-5 In: Bonanno, G.; Orlando-Bonaca, M. (Ed.) (2022). Plastic pollution and marine conservation: Approaches to protect biodiversity and marine life. Academic Press: London. ISBN 978-0-12-822471-7. 346 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/c2019-0-03607-2, more |
| Keywords | Elasmobranchii [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Elasmobranchs; plastic pollution; ghost nets; entanglement; ingestion; microplastic pathways |
| Authors | | Top | - Lipej, L.
- Cumani, F.
- Acquavita, A.
- Bettoso, N.
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| Abstract | Due to the recognized negative impact for marine biodiversity, plastic pollution in seas and oceans is nowadays a global problem. Sharks and rays are apex predators, which are also vulnerable to plastic pollution due to threats related with entanglement, ingestion, and habitat degradation, but, paradoxically, the science community deserved them less attention. Entanglement with ghost nets and other plastic materials such as ropes, straps, bags is common, and many evidences of plastic ingestion in shark are also reported. Large-sized planktivorous sharks and mobulid rays are seriously exposed to microplastic pollution due to their feeding mode. Despite the occurrence of plastic pollution, elasmobranchs seem to be much more threatened by the effects of the overexploitation through targeted fisheries and by-catch than other stressors. Best practices and environmental laws together with a wide popular participation are necessary to overcome these problems. |
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