# Microplastics in Sediments Originating from Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Coastal Areas of the Valencian Community

## TL;DR

This study shows that abandoned fishing nets in coastal Spain release microplastics into nearby sediments, highlighting the need for better waste management to protect marine ecosystems.

## Contribution

The study establishes a direct link between abandoned fishing gear and microplastic accumulation in rocky coastal sediments, addressing a gap in current research.

## Key findings

- Sediments near abandoned fishing nets had significantly higher microplastic concentrations.
- Many microplastics matched materials used in modern fishing nets, indicating active degradation.
- The study emphasizes the role of ALDFG as a persistent source of marine plastic pollution.

## Abstract

Fishing nets that are abandoned or lost at sea gradually break into increasingly small plastic particles, which can accumulate in marine sediments and pose risks to wildlife and human health. This study examined whether such nets act as a direct source of these particles in two coastal areas of eastern Spain. Sediment samples were collected from sites where abandoned nets were present and compared with nearby sites without visible human disturbance. The results showed that sediments close to the nets contained substantially higher amounts of small plastic particles. Many of these particles were composed of the same materials used to manufacture modern fishing nets, indicating that the nets were actively degrading and releasing plastics into the environment. These findings demonstrate that abandoned fishing gear can serve as a persistent point source of plastic contamination on the seafloor. By identifying a clear link between lost nets and increased plastic levels in sediments, this study underscores the importance of timely removal of discarded gear, improved waste management, and preventive actions to reduce marine pollution. Such measures are essential to protect coastal ecosystems, sustain fisheries, and reduce potential risks for human communities that depend on healthy marine environments.

The increasing presence of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) on the seafloor is a major source of microplastics (MPs) pollution in coastal ecosystems. This study assessed the concentration, morphology, and chemical composition of MPs in surface sediments collected from Alicante and Benidorm, in the Valencian Community, eastern coast of Spain, Mediterranean Sea. Impacted sites with fishing nets were compared to control sites without nets. Two analytical techniques were used for polymer identification, depending on particle size: micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (µFTIR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The results showed significantly higher MPs concentrations in sites affected by ALDFG. The findings highlight a clear link between the presence of fishing nets and MPs accumulation in sediments. This underlines the urgent need for mitigation strategies and recovery of discarded fishing gear. This study addresses a gap in the literature regarding MPs contamination on rocky coastal substrates and calls for further research to assess the long-term ecotoxicological impacts on marine ecosystems.