Besides Mining, Dams, Non-Native Species... The Ingestion of Anthropogenic Debris by Fishes in the Doce River Basin, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The Doce River basin is impacted by mining, dams, introduction of non-native species, and other human actions. Here we show an additional threat -the ingestion of anthropogenic objects by the freshwater fishes of the region. We collected 234 specimens at five sites across the Doce River basin. We found that seventeen specimens (7.3% of the total) of five fish species ingested anthropogenic debris (including those from fishing activities). Our findings show the need for new studies, especially to evaluate drifting residues in the main river channel. In addition, our results suggest the need for actions to reduce the pollution and other anthropic impacts in the Rio Doce basin.