Microplastics in the digestive tract of sunu grouper <i>(Plectropomus leopardus</i> Lacepede, 1802) from coastal waters of North Maluku

Microplastic pollution threatens marine fish resources as it contaminates various types of fish. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and abundance of microplastics in the digestive tract of sunu groupers. Data were collected at the Ternate Archipelago Fisheries Port and Ternate Hygienic Fish Market. The data collected included the fish’s length and weight, stomach, and microplastics from 30 sunu groupers samples. The results of this study showed that all samples of sunu grouper tested contained microplastics in their digestive tract. Microplastics consist of fibers, films, and fragments, consisting of black, grey, red, white, green, brown, blue, purple, and yellow. The abundance of microplastics in the grouper’s digestive tract ranges from to 6-32 particles/individual. The presence of microplastics in marine biota has a high potential to pose a threat to marine food sources. Therefore, it is very important to conduct a massive awareness campaign about the threat of microplastics to the environment and marine food sources so that mitigation efforts are urgent and carried out simultaneously and jointly by all parties.