Incidence of plastic ingestion in seabirds from the Bay of Biscay (southwestern Europe)

Abstract

Seabirds have been widely used to monitor marine debris by the analysis of plastic ingestion. With the aim of obtaining the first data on ingestion of plastics by different seabird species in the Bay of Biscay and evaluating their suitability as biomonitors of plastic pollution in this area, a total of 159 seabirds of fifteen species were analyzed. Plastics were found in 26 birds (16% of the individuals) of nine species (60% of the species). Frequency of occurrence of plastics varied between 0% (Razorbill) and 100% (species of the family Procellariidae). Considering several criteria to assess their suitability as biomonitors of plastic pollution (frequency of occurrence of plastic ingestion, species abundances and stranding occurrence in the Bay of Biscay), the Common Guillemot and the Atlantic Puffin seem the most promising candidates. This study provides the first data on plastic ingestion in seabirds of the Bay of Biscay.

Keywords: Bay of Biscay; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Plastic ingestion; Plastic pollution; Seabirds.