Microplastics in Shortfin Scads (Decapterus Macrosoma) in Northern Philippines

Microplastic pollution poses persistent threats to marine ecosystems and human health via seafood consumption. This study quantified prevalence, abundance, and morphology of microplastics in shortfin scads (Decapterus macrosoma), a key pelagic fishery species, from National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) sites in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, and Cagayan. Twelve specimens (3/sites x 4 NSAP sites) underwent gastrointestinal tract dissection, 10% KOH digestion at 80°C, density separation, and Nile red staining under fluorescence microscopy for identification. Microplastic prevalence varied spatially: 66.67% in Pantal, Dagupan City (Pangasinan; 1-6 particles/specimen), 33.33% in Palawig, Sta. Ana (Cagayan) and Poblacion 1, Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte; 1-2 particles), and 0% in Taggat Norte, Claveria (Cagayan). Dominant forms were fragments (irregular shapes) and fibers (linear), exhibiting intense orange fluorescence indicative of synthetic polymers. Findings establish baseline contamination patterns linked to coastal anthropogenic activities, highlighting risks to food safety and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Enhanced monitoring, waste management, and polymer-specific analyses are recommended to mitigate pelagic fishery impacts.

microplastics, shortfin scads, Nile red staining, marine pollution, Northern Philippines

1. Flores, J. (2025, February 6). The environmental impact of microplastics in the Philippines. Plastic Education. https://plastic.education/the-environmental-impact-of-microplastics-in-the-philippines/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Free, C. M., Jensen, O. P., Mason, S. A., Eriksen, M., Williamson, N. J., & Boldgiv, B. (2014). Highlevels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 85(1), 156– 163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Hantoro, I., Löhr, A. J., Van Belleghem, F. G. A. J., Widianarko, B., & Ragas, A. M. J. (2019). Microplastics in coastal areas and seafood: implications for food safety. Food Additives and Contaminants - Part A Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure and Risk Assessment, 26(5), 674–711. https://doi.org/0.1080/19440049.2019.1585581 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Jeong, E., Lee, J., & Redwan, M. (2024). Animal exposure to microplastics and health effects: A review. Emerging Contaminants, 10(4), 100369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2024.100369 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Maes, T., Jessop, R., Wellner, N., Haupt, K., & Mayes, A. G. (2017). A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red. Scientific Reports, 7(1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44501 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Oceana in the Philippines. (2021, July 7). Marine plastic threatens food security. Oceana Philippines. https://ph.oceana.org/blog/marine-plastic-threatens-food-security/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Pustadan, R. (2024, February 15). THE GROWING THREAT OF MICROPLASTICS AND [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. PLASTICS. National Research Council of the Philippines. https://nrcp.dost.gov.ph/the-growing-threatof-microplastics-and-plastics/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Rochman, C. M., Brookson, C., Bikker, J., Djuric, N., Earn, A., Bucci, K., Athey, S., Huntington, A., McIlwraith, H., Munno, K., De Frond, H., Kolomijeca, A., Erdle, L., Grbic, J., Bayoumi, M., Borrelle, S. B., Wu, T., Santoro, S., Werbowski, L. M., . . . Hung, C. (2019). Rethinking microplastics as a diverse contaminant suite. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 38(4), 703–711. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4371 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Villarao, M., Gumiran, E., & Encarnacion, A. (2023). Population Dynamics of Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma) Bleeker 1851 in Babuyan Channel, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, 212–228. https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf/30.2.2019c0003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Household Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Conditions and Associated Public Health Risks in Omu-Aran, Kwara State