We report on a unique, culturally-led sampling program from Benwenerup/Stokes Inlet, a remote corner of Western Australia. Current data on plastics and plasticizers in Australian fish is scarce. In this region, the Barndi/black bream, are an important culturally significant component of Indigenous diets.
Nearly 600 Barndi were captured over two years from Benwenerup – an isolated, normally closed estuary. Each fish was processed for morphometric and reproductive parameters, and age determination. Muscle tissue was excised from adjacent to the left pectoral fin.
A subset of the tissue samples from ‘eating size’ fish was submitted for micro- and nano-plastic, and plasticizers analysis. Methodology included Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (uFTIR), Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) imaging and Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).
Initial results indicate nano-plastics are present in the Barndi tissues. Large quantities of ocean-based plastics were recorded within Benwenerup, and this is presumably the source of the ingested particles. These particles are anticipated to accumulate in wild organisms, and be harmful to animal/human health, as has been described for other species.
Future analysis will focus on potential relationships between contaminants and the sex, age, and size of these fish. This project highlights the benefits of genuine collaboration between western scientists and Traditional Owners.