Biodegradable plastics can still harm fish: study

Biodegradable plastics, once heralded as a solution to plastic pollution, still harm fish, according to a recent study by the University of Otago. While the negative effects of petroleum-derived microplastics on marine life are known, the impact of biodegradable alternatives remained unclear. This research showed that exposure to petroleum-derived plastic negatively affected fish escape performance, routine swimming, and aerobic metabolism. Fish exposed to biodegradable plastics had their maximum escape speed negatively affected. This study indicates that both petroleum-derived and biodegradable plastics can be damaging to marine fish if exposed to them, and highlights the need for further regulation in the biodegradable plastics industry. (University of Otago)