Introduction: Plastic pollution at sea is a critical global issue, but despite legislative requirements, scant information is available for the ongoing assessment of this threat. Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) significantly contributes to marine litter, ghost fishing, and ecosystem degradation.Methods: A multidisciplinary research effort, carried out in collaboration with small-scale fishers, introduced a new methodological approach implementing sustainable and biodegradable fishing gear. This approach combined experimental field trials with performance monitoring to test pot nets lined with biodegradable and compostable material prototypes, used in artisanal fisheries targeting Plesionika edwardsii.Results: According to our results, these alternative materials deliver artisanal performance comparable to that of traditional plastics, including fishing efficacy, while reducing environmental impact.Discussion/Conclusion: Early-stage trials indicate that biodegradable pots, while requiring further refinement for effective use in fishing, represent a viable option for reducing ghost fishing and plastic pollution, supporting biodiversity conservation. This work demonstrates a replicable framework for testing and validating sustainable fishing gear under real-world conditions, supporting evidence-based decisions in marine resource management.

Microplastic pollution is pervasive in marine ecosystems and poses a growing threat to marine organisms and human health. This study simultaneously investigates microplastic ingestion and phthalate exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris, a commercially valuable and ecologically relevant Mediterranean crustacean occupying an intermediate trophic position. Specimens were collected from three coastal areas in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean): near the Tiber River mouth, one of the most polluted rivers in Italy, and two additional sites to the north and south. The frequency of individuals with ingested microplastics varied among locations: 78% near the Tiber River, 64% at site S, and 38% at site N, reflecting anthropogenic pressure gradients. Analyses confirmed the lower occurrence at site N, indicating higher ingestion near land-based pollution sources. Ingested microplastic polymer types varied among sites, reflecting location-specific contamination. Phthalates were present in shrimp muscle at all sites (5–1122 ng/g w.w.) with the highest average concentration (68.26 ± 55.74 ng/g) at the site with the highest microplastic ingestion. Although no statistical correlation was found, the similar spatial distribution of microplastics and phthalates suggests a potential link influenced by local pollution and individual variability. These findings provide novel evidence of microplastic and phthalate contamination in P. longirostris, highlighting its role as a trophic connector mediating contaminant transfer through the food web. While current levels suggest no potential risk to human health, continued monitoring and further studies on exposure along trophic pathways are recommended.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental stressor in marine ecosystems, yet its relationship with trophic ecology remains poorly understood in deep-sea environments. This study investigated MP ingestion in relation to trophic ecology in three deep-sea fish species (Chlorophthalmus agassizi, Hoplostethus mediterraneus, and Coelorinchus caelorhincus) from the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) was combined with detailed characterisation of ingested MPs to assess trophic niches, trophic position, and species-specific ingestion patterns. The three species showed distinct isotopic signatures, with C. agassizi occupying a lower trophic position, while H. mediterraneus and C. caelorhincus overlapped at higher trophic levels. MPs were detected in all species, with an overall frequency of occurrence of 34.4%, and no significant interspecific differences in occurrence or abundance were observed. However, significant differences emerged in MP characteristics. C. caelorhincus, which exhibited the widest isotopic niche, ingested larger and more diverse particles, whereas C. agassizi showed lower occurrence but higher particle loads in affected individuals. These results suggest that trophic ecology is not clearly associated with MP ingestion rates but may influence the size and diversity of ingested particles, highlighting ecological drivers of exposure in deep-sea ecosystems.