Attend an international microplastics symposium in Edinburgh. Engage with leading scientists on this emerging issue and understand more about the risks involved. Gathering the latest information and research will allow the Australian seafood industry to be better prepared for the risks, including but not limited to; Misinformation, misrepresented science and other related campaigns that may affect the healthy credentials of our industry and its products.
Final report
The presence of microplastics in seafood species is well documented, but the pathways as to how this may be impacting human consumers, and potential health impacts, is still poorly understood. A global team of seafood industry stakeholders and microplastic and ecotoxicology experts met in September 2022 at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh for the Microplastic and Seafood: Human Health Symposium. This international team included industry representatives from the Sydney Fish Market and marine plastic experts from the University of Adelaide. The symposium provided a global platform for scientists to share their research on microplastics and seafood, and how this may be affecting human health, and to connect with each other to create a powerful group of experts in the field. Furthermore, the symposium provided a stage for industry to share their perspectives on microplastics and the implications plastic may pose for seafood supply chains. The symposium also provided a unique opportunity to create a group a well-qualified scientist and seafood industry stakeholders who are equipped with the most up to date information on the risks that microplastic pose to seafood.
A journal paper was subsequently published: Henry, T.B., Bucknall, D.G., Catarino, A.I., Gillanders, B.M., Haave, M., Kaminski, N.E., Völker, C. and Wootton, N. (2025). Examining Misconceptions about Plastic-Particle Exposure from Ingestion of Seafood and Risk to Human Health. Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
