Microplastic pollution is causing harm in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems around the globe, including all parts of the marine food web. Fish and other types of wildlife ingest microplastics, leading to accumulation of toxic chemicals that travel up the food chain and can impact reproductive success in seabirds.
A 2023 grant from the Farallon Islands to Point Blue Conservation Science supported the research of a student who assessed microplastics in juvenile rockfish, a main prey item for seabirds on the Farallon Islands. Point Blue also collected fecal samples from seabirds to identify the quantity and type of microplastics present in Farallon Island seabirds. Findings from this project will contribute towards California’s new Statewide Microplastics Strategy.
- Year of Grant: 2023
- Amount: $18,000
- Grantee: Point Blue Conservation Science
Photo at top: Microplastic fibers identified in the marine environment. Credit: M.Danny25, Creative Commons License.