Feeding Habits and the Occurrence of Anthropogenic Debris in the Stomach Content of Marine Fish from Pattani Bay, Gulf of Thailand

oleh: Kay Khine Soe, Sukree Hajisamae, Penjai Sompongchaiyakul, Prawit Towatana, Siriporn Pradit

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-02-01

Deskripsi

This study assessed the feeding habits and ingestion of anthropogenic debris in 34 marine fish species from the southern Gulf of Thailand. A total of 5478 fish samples of 12 families were categorised into seven groups: planktivore, <i>Lucifer</i> feeder, fish feeder, <i>Acetes</i> feeder, shrimp feeder, piscivore, and zoobenthivore fish. A total of 2477 anthropogenic debris items were extracted from 12 fish species by visual inspection. Their ingestion of anthropogenic debris was influenced by season (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), with the highest ingestion during the northeast monsoon season. Furthermore, planktivorous fish displayed more ingested anthropogenic debris than the other investigated species (<i>p</i> = 0.022). Blue-coloured anthropogenic debris was commonly detected in the stomachs of fish and significantly differed between species (<i>p</i> > 0.001). Water depth and season significantly influenced the availability of food types (AF) for fish (<i>p</i> < 0.001). These findings provide evidence of the ingestion of anthropogenic debris by fish inhabiting a natural bay and signal the future anthropogenic pollution of marine fish.