Microplastics in Aquaculture and Fisheries Systems

Dear Colleagues,

In 2019, the global annual output of plastic products reached 460 million tons, only 9% of which are recycled, and it is estimated that it will reach 1.2 billion tons by 2060. Microplastics (MPs), plastic fragments and particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm, have become ubiquitous contaminants within global aquaculture and wild fisheries systems. As a typical emerging pollutant, its potential health hazards have been widely concerning. These particles originate from internal sources, notably the breakdown of fishing gear, nets, traps, ropes, lines, and buoys (abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear—ALDFG), plastic packaging, and improper disposal of plastic waste; coatings and paints applied to vessels and other marine equipment also contribute to introducing these plastic fragments into the ecosystems. MPs can also originate from external environmental sources like terrestrial runoff and sewage discharge. The presence of these particles poses significant ecological risks, with aquatic organisms frequently ingesting them, leading to physical harm. Furthermore, MPs act as vectors for persistent organic pollutants and chemical additives, which can bioaccumulate within the food web and thus enter the human food chain. Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact, with potential toxicity at the “individual-tissue-cell-subcellular” level, with effects reported at the oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. In addition, epidemiological evidence suggests that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastic exposure. Thus, the ongoing contamination by MPs needs urgent mitigation strategies, including improved waste management, development of biodegradable equipment alternatives, and stricter regulations to protect both ecosystem health and food safety.

This Special Issue invites the submission of original research or review papers that highlight core issues surrounding microplastics in aquaculture and fisheries systems, encompassing their sources, ecological impacts on aquatic life, potential risks to human health, and necessary mitigation strategies.

Prof. Dr. Ana Marta Gonçalves
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• microplastics (MPs)
• aquaculture and fisheries systems
• health risk
• biological accumulation
• toxic effect
• mitigation strategies