A study by scientists at a marine research laboratory indicates that plastic pollution in the Gulf of Maine likely is creating problems for the lobster population.Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay examined how microplastics — pieces of plastic broken down into tiny particles — affect lobster larvae in the gulf. They found that lobster larvae, which float in the water column and typically are found in shallow water, get fibers caught under their shells and sometimes ingest particles.
The issue of pollution in the Gulf of Maine, where millions of pounds of lobster fishing gear is deployed each year, has environmental and economic implications for Maine. The commercial statewide lobster harvest in 2019 alone accounted for more than $485 million in fishing revenue in the state, nearly three-quarters of all of Maine’s fisheries landings value that year.
The study, published in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, showed young larvae are more likely to get microplastic fibers trapped under their shells that protect their gills, and were the least likely to survive heavy concentrations of microplastics. Older larvae had less fiber accumulation under their shells but were shown to ingest the plastic, which could pose health consequences as they get older.
Plastics usually are found at the ocean’s surface, where they are exposed to sunlight and wave action that eventually break them down into small particles, Bigelow scientists said. Animals that inhabit surface waters are more likely to come into contact with them – including larval lobsters.
“Even relatively low levels of plastics can be harmful for the animals that encounter them, and where an animal lives in the water column can amplify the problem,” said David Fields, a research scientist at Bigelow and co-author of the study.
“A lobster larva that eats a plastic fiber is just like us eating a candy wrapper. It’s not great, but it will probably just pass though. But if all you’re eating is candy wrappers, it’s certainly going to have other repercussions for your health.”
The broad long-term impact of microplastics in the gulf is unknown, according to Bigelow scientist Paty Matrai, but its effect could aggravate how lobsters already are affected by warming water temperatures and ocean acidification. Other studies have shown that fewer lobster larvae are appearing in the Gulf of Maine, and microplastics could be among the reasons why, she said.