The presence of microplastics on the planet has become a major threat to marine ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. This problem covers a wide group of animals, such as marine fish, and includes commercially important fish. The present study was carried out from October 2018 to July 2019, the above, with the intention of completing a seasonal cycle. The objective of this work was to know the main types of microplastics ingested by six of the most important commercial fish species for the northwestern zone of Mexico (Centropomus viridis, Cynoscion othonopterus, Pomadasys macracanthus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lutjanus sp and Scomberomorus sierra), in the lagoon and insular systems of Navachiste and Ohuira, Sinaloa, Mexico, 556 stomachs of fishes were examined and analyzed under the technique of stereoscopic microscopy. The results showed that four of the six species analyzed were contaminated by microplastics, finding five different types of particles corresponding to the group of microplastics, [Nylon (99), > Polyurethane (42), > polyethylene (14), > Polyethylene Terephthalate (6), > polyester fibers (2)]. This is the first study that reports contamination by microplastics in these species within the north of Sinaloa, Mexico. http://dx.doi.org/10.37114/abaagrof/2024.3 e2023-15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HLTdisYEnI La presencia de microplásticos en el planeta se ha convertido en una gran amenaza para los ecosistemas marinos y los organismos que los habitan. Este problema cubre un amplio grupo de animales, como los peces marinos, e incluye peces comercialmente importantes. El presente estudio se realizó desde octubre de 2018 hasta julio de 2019, lo anterior, con la intención de completar un ciclo estacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer los principales tipos de microplásticos ingeridos por seis de las especies de peces comerciales más importantes para la zona noroeste de México (Centropomus viridis, Cynoscion othonopterus, Pomadasys macracanthus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lutjanus sp, y Scomberomorus sierra) en los sistemas lagunares e insulares de Navachiste y Ohuira, Sinaloa, México. Se capturaron y analizaron los estómagos de 556 individuos bajo la técnica de microscopía estereoscópica. Los resultados mostraron que cuatro de las seis especies analizadas estaban contaminadas por microplásticos, encontrándose cinco tipos diferentes de partículas correspondientes al grupo de los microplásticos, [Nylon (99), > poliuretano (42), > polietileno (14), > tereftalato de polietileno (6), > fibras de poliéster (2)]. Este es el primer estudio que reporta contaminación por microplásticos en estas especies en el norte de Sinaloa, México. http://dx.doi.org/10.37114/abaagrof/2024.3 e2023-15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HLTdisYEnI http://dx.doi.org/10.37114/abaagrof/2024.3 e2023-15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HLTdisYEnI

The presence of microplastics (<5 mm) has become a major threat to marine ecosystems and the organisms inhabiting them. This issue affects a wide range of animals, including commercially important marine fish, whose ingestion of microplastics can cause mechanical and metabolic damage. This study aimed to characterize the main types of microplastic-like particles ingested by Centropomus viridis, Cynoscion othonopterus, Pomadasys macracanthus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lutjanus colorado, and Scomberomorus sierra, important commercial fish species in northwestern Mexico. Four sampling events were conducted over an annual cycle (November to August) in the lagoon and insular systems of Navachiste and Ohuira, Sinaloa, Mexico (RAMSAR sites 1826 and 2025). A total of 556 individuals were captured, and their stomach contents were analyzed using stereoscopic microscopy. Systematic sediment sampling was also performed at each capture site (El Coloradito, El Caracol, El Huitussi, El Aparecido, El Cerro Cabezón, Topolobampo, El Cerro Partido, and El Tortugo) by examining the upper 30 cm of sediment to ensure representativeness of the particle inventory. Four of the six analyzed species (C. viridis, C. othonopterus, P. macracanthus, and D. peruvianus) contained microplastic-like particles (MP-p), totaling 163 items, with an average ingestion rate of 0.29 items individual⁻¹. The omnivorous species D. peruvianus showed the highest ingestion (0.52 items individual⁻¹; 0.0029 items g⁻¹ wet weight). Five categories of MP-p were distinguished based on morphology and fluorescence; however, their polymeric identity cannot be confirmed without spectroscopic analyses. Sediment results showed that most microplastic-like fragments occurred at site 2025 during autumn, spring, and summer, while levels at site 1826 did not differ significantly. This study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in these fish species and in this region of northwestern Mexico.

There is a lack of information regarding the presence of microplastics (MPs) and the physiological status of shrimp species such as the brown shrimp (Penaeus californiensis), the blue shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris), and the white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), all of which are of great economic and ecological value in the coastal waters of the Gulf of California. Shrimp caught in the open sea off the coast of Sinaloa during the fall season were analyzed to determine the microplastic content in the digestive tract, as well as their morphophysiological and biochemical conditions. Microplastic content was classified by size, color, and shape and confirmed using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. A total of 63 organisms (21 per species) were processed. Significant differences were observed in total plasma proteins and triglycerides, as well as in triglycerides and total lipids in the hepatopancreas, among the species. However, the total MP content, its distribution among organs, and the various MPs classifications did not show significant differences between species or in relation to the organisms’ weight. Three types of polymers were confirmed: polyurethane (45%), polyvinyl ketone (36%), and polyacrylamide (18%). The most abundant MPs were black in color and fiber-shaped, and they ranged in size from 0.12 to 1.37 mm, with the highest concentration found in the organisms’ intestines. A 100% prevalence of MPs was observed in all species. Although no direct effects on the physiological and biochemical status of the species in their natural environment were detected, the variability in the types of MPs could suggest other types of impacts that may not yet be reflected in the indicators we observed.

Los parámetros hematológicos se utilizan en la determinación del estado fisiológico y nutricional, el estado de salud y el equilibrio metabólico en los peces, tanto de vida silvestre como de cultivos intensivos acuícolas, y adquieren importancia en la valoración de las condiciones ambientales y el diagnóstico de enfermedades. Las variaciones de los parámetros bioquímico-hematológicos presentadas en los niveles de glucosa, colesterol, triglicéridos y proteínas en este estudio no presentan diferencias significativas (p > 0.05) entre sitios de captura, pero sí diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) en proteínas y triglicéridos en relación con la estación del año, toda vez que se observan valores altos en primavera en organismos de mayor peso, lo cual coincide con la época reproductiva de M. cephalus. Se sugiere que dichos parámetros sean utilizados como indicadores y valores de referencia del estado de salud poblacional de la lisa, los cuales son de importancia en el manejo sostenible de su pesquería.

Los mares son de gran importancia para el bienestar económico nacional y mundial, donde la pesca marina emplea a más de 200 millones de personas. En el Golfo de California (GC) se captura más de 70% de las especies de pelágicos menores. Uno de los retos actuales es obtener proteína de origen marino saludable para la población. Sin esfuerzos coordinados, los problemas de contaminación costera aumentarán 20% para el año 2050, es de gran importancia mantener las poblaciones saludables de peces, buscar el equilibrio en las capturas para preservar nuestro medio de vida. A bordo del BI “Dr. Jorge Carranza Fraser” del Instituto Mexicano de Investigación en Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables (IMIPAS), en 38 lugares se recolectaron 60 organismos de tres especies de pelágicos menores. En relación con los microplásticos en los estómagos de las especies Auxis rochei y Scomber japonicus, se presentaron seis fragmentos en promedio, la especie Trichiurus nitens presentó tres fragmentos de microplásticos. Se observó que, de las tres especies analizadas, Trichiurus nitens presentó el mejor factor de condición y mejores valores en su bioquímica sanguínea en comparación con Auxis rochei y Scomber japonicus, que presentaron mayor consumo de microplásticos, disminución del factor de condición y valores de bioquímica sanguínea disminuidos como el colesterol, la proteína y los triglicéridos. Con relación a la glucosa, fue elevada en la especie Scomber japonicus, lo cual se considera como indicador de estrés.

The proliferation of microplastics in marine environments threatens coastal ecosystems via ingestion by planktivorous fish. This study evaluated the occurrence of microplastic-like particles (MPLPs), characterized morphologically, in the digestive tracts of Opisthonema libertate and Sardinops sagax in the Gulf of California. Blue and green fibers dominated the assemblages. O. libertate exhibited peak abundance in autumn (74.08 particles/individual), while S. sagax peaked in winter (78.10 particles/individual). Species-specific analysis revealed distinct patterns: S. sagax showed a strong positive correlation between MPLP abundance and both total length (r = 0.71, p < 0.01) and body weight (r = 0.68, p < 0.05), indicating ontogenetic accumulation. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between MPLPs and triglycerides in S. sagax (r = −0.38, p < 0.05) suggests a potential metabolic cost. Conversely, ingestion in O. libertate appeared incidental. These findings document chronic exposure in key forage fish, with high fiber prevalence suggesting abandoned fishing gear as a likely source. While spectroscopic validation is needed, these results highlight the necessity of integrating microplastic monitoring into sustainable fisheries management to ensure food security in the region.