Plastic debris collars on juvenile carcharhinid sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) in southwest Atlantic.
Three juvenile Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) caught in gillnets in southeast Brazil, southwest Atlantic, were found with plastic debris rings around their gill or mouth region. The rings caused severe abrasion on the sharks' tissues as the animal grew, the collars probably hampering normal feeding and/or ventilation since two of the collared individuals were emaciated. The rings were identified as detachable lid parts from plastic bottles, likely thrown overboard by fishery and/or recreation boats. As several carcharhinid shark species dwells and reproduce in shallow waters, the impact of discarded plastic debris likely is greater on this shark type.
Sazima
Ivan
I
Departamento de Zoologia and Museu de História Natural, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. isazima@unicamp.br
Gadig
Otto B F
OB
Namora
Rafael C
RC
Motta
Fábio S
FS
D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001938:Brazil; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D005735:Garbage; D008297:Male; D010969:Plastics; D012119:Respiration; D012754:Sharks; D012767:Ships; D013217:Starvation / Q000662:veterinary*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010969:Plastics; D014873:Water Pollutants