Microplastics (MP), the debris that collectively refers to plastic fragments and particles of <5 mm in size within marine environments, has been the subject of interest within the past decade. Evidence of its occurrence and abundance, has been recorded in this communication after examining gastrointestinal specimens of eight commercially available fish species common to the Arabian (Persian) Gulf acquired locally from the State of Kuwait. The species studied belonged to different trophic levels, and the specimens were subjected to Micro Raman and Micro Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in Attenuated Reflective Mode (ATR) to determine the presence and type of polymer of the MP. The detected MP set a president for the first time in the examined fish species within the State of Kuwait, which are of immense commercial importance. Various particles were detected, and three MP particles (fragments) were detected within the guts of Acanthopagrus latus, Eleutheronemaa tetradactylum and Lutjanus quinquelineatus. Based on the nature and behaviour of these particular fish types which prefer to stay in muddy waters and sheltered lagoons, it is suspected that common primary sources of MP (i.e. waste fragmentation) have led to passive/active intake (e.g. detritus ingestion) of these particles (fragments) by these species of fish in Kuwait.

Naturally occurring radioactive material was characterized in selected seafood samples from three areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Relatively desirable and abundant fish such as Red Snapper, Red Drum, Northern Whiting, and Spotted Trout as well as oysters were collected and analyzed using gamma spectroscopy to determine the concentration of ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰ K. Average total activity concentration from these radionuclides were 0.9 ± 0.6, 1.6 ± 1.2, and 132 ± 57 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively, in the edible portion of wet weight samples. The results were consistent with previous studies for other bodies of water. A small but statistically significant increase in ²²⁶Ra was found in comparison to similar research performed 20 years prior. These measurements provide a reasonable baseline for the examined species from the Gulf of Mexico.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues were determined in fillets of Lutjanus colorado, L. argentiventris, and L. novemfasciatus. Fillet samples were collected bimonthly from February 2012 to February 2013. OCPs average concentrations do not differ significantly according to size, weight, or season, nor do they relate with the physico-chemical parameters of the sea water. The highest concentration and most frequently encountered OCPs were endosulfan sulfate, δ-HCH, and heptachlor epoxide, which indicates their use in the recent past and confirms their persistence. Average concentrations of ∑HCHs, ∑chlordane, and ∑heptachlor in samples were above cancer MRLs according to data from monthly consumed portions. HCHs and heptachlor are listed in Appendix III of the Rotterdam Convention of chemicals placed on a prior informed consent procedure for import and export purposes; they are considered illegal in Mexico. The OCPs concentrations above cancer MRLs in Lutjanus spp. turn its frequent consumption into a human health risk.

The major aim of this study was to investigate heavy metal content of edible fish in the PRD. Eleven species of fish (consisting of 711 individuals) [catfish (Clarias fuscus), tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), mandarin fish (Siniperca kneri), snakehead (Channa asiatiea), black bass (Micropterus salmoides), mangrove snapper (Lutjanus griseus), star snapper (Lutjanu stellatus), snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) and orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)] were collected for the analyses of heavy metals. Overall concentrations (mg/kg, ww) in the fish muscles were: As (0.03–1.53), Pb (0.03–8.62), Cd (0.02–0.06), Ni (0.44–9.75), Zn (15.7–29.5), Cr (0.22–0.65), Cu (0.79–2.26), Mn (0.82–6.91). Significant level of Pb were found in tilapia at all locations. It is recommended that heavy metal concentrations in different fish species must be determined on a regular basis in the future so as to reduce human health risks from acute and chronic food intoxication.

The occurrence, bioaccumulation, and human dietary exposure via seafood consumption of 37 antibiotics in six typical marine aquaculture farms surrounding Hailing Island, South China were investigated in this study. Sulfamethoxazole, salinomycin and trimethoprim were widely detected in the water samples (0.4–36.9ng/L), while oxytetracycline was the predominant antibiotic in the water samples of shrimp larvae pond. Enrofloxacin was widely detected in the feed samples (16.6–31.8ng/g) and erythromycin–H2O was the most frequently detected antibiotic in the sediment samples (0.8–4.8ng/g). Erythromycin–H2O was the dominant antibiotic in the adult Fenneropenaeus penicillatus with concentrations ranging from 2498 to 15,090ng/g. In addition, trimethoprim was found to be bioaccumulative in young Lutjanus russelli with a median bioaccumulation factor of 6488L/kg. Based on daily intake estimation, the erythromycin–H2O in adult F. penicillatus presented a potential risk to human safety.

The status of Kuwait’s fisheries landings and relative abundance for major species was reviewed using research data from Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and landing data from the Kuwait’s Central Statistical Bureau. Landing data showed significant decreases for major commercial species such as zobaidy (Pampus argenteus), suboor (Tenualosa ilisha), hamoor (Epinephelus coioides), newaiby (Otolithes ruber) and hamra (Lutjanus malabaricus) while abundance data for the shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus showed significant reduction in the recent years mainly because of overfishing. The catch-rate data showed continuous decline for major species such as zobaidy, newaiby and hamoor, which indicate that stock abundances of these species are low. The reduction in stock abundance in context with changes in habitat quality, particularly the effects of reduced discharge of the Shatt Al-Arab, is discussed.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of mariculture on phthalate esters speciation and distribution in sediments and cultured fish in the Hong Kong regions and near mainland China. Concentrations of ∑phthalate esters in mariculture surface sediments (0 to 5 cm) ranged from 0.20 to 54.3 mg/kg dw (mean 10.3 mg/kg dw), with the highest recorded at M2 (20.4 mg/kg dw). Concentrations of phthalate esters were not significantly (p > 0.05) enriched in surface and sediment cores at mariculture sites relative to the reference sediments, 1 to 2 km away in areas without mariculture activities. Among different congeners, only butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) concentrations demonstrated a significant correlation (R² = 0.40, p < 0.05) with TOC values of sediments. The median concentrations of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in the sediments were 1.57 and 6.96 times higher than the environmental risk levels (ERL), which may pose environmental risks. Results of health risk assessments revealed that the cultured fish (snubnose pompano, orange-spotted grouper, and red snapper) were safe for consumption, in terms of phthalate esters. This is the first study to assess the differences of phthalate esters contamination between mariculture and natural coastal sediments.