Fish off the coast of Cyprus found contaminated with microplastics

The Mediterranean Sea, which feeds millions of people and remains one of Cyprus’s main natural attractions, is increasingly suffering from plastic pollution. New scientific studies have shown a worrying trend: microplastic particles are being found not only in seawater, but also in fish that island residents regularly eat. Scientists warn that the problem is no longer purely environmental — it is now directly linked to food security and human health.

What microplastics are and why they are dangerous

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres. They are formed as bottles, bags, fishing nets, car tyres, synthetic clothing and other plastic products break down. Once in the sea, these particles practically do not decompose and gradually accumulate in the marine environment.

The Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the world’s most plastic-polluted bodies of water. Due to the enclosed nature of the basin and the high population density along its coasts, plastic remains here much longer than in the open ocean. Researchers already refer to some areas of the Mediterranean as a true «microplastic soup».

What was found off the coast of Cyprus

The greatest resonance was caused by a study published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin. Scientists examined seawater, seabed sediments and fish in several areas of the northern coast of Cyprus. The results were highly alarming.

Specialists found that the highest concentrations of microplastics in fish were recorded in the areas of Kyrenia and Famagusta. That is where researchers found the largest number of ingested plastic particles in the gastrointestinal tracts of marine life.

Species that were especially contaminated included European hake (bakalyaros), lionfish and round herring. Plastic particles were found not only in the digestive system, but also in the muscle tissue of some fish and rays.

Analysis showed that most of the microplastics found were polyethylene and polypropylene — materials used to make bags, packaging and disposable products.

Pollution is spreading across the island

The problem does not concern only individual coastal areas. A new study published in 2026 for the first time provided a comprehensive assessment of plastic pollution along the coastline of the Republic of Cyprus. Scientists found an average concentration of around 336 microplastic particles per square metre of the island’s beaches. The study showed that the distribution of pollution depends on sea currents, the shape of the coastline and weather conditions.

According to the researchers, some of the debris comes from land, but a significant share is carried by sea currents from other parts of the Mediterranean. This means that even effective domestic measures will not be able to fully solve the problem without international cooperation.

Microplastics have already entered the food chain

As early as 2021, specialists from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research recorded the presence of microplastics in the zooplankton of the Eastern Mediterranean. This is especially important because zooplankton is the basis of the marine food chain. If plastic enters the bodies of the smallest marine organisms, it is then passed on to fish, molluscs and other sea dwellers.

Additional concern is caused by studies showing that microplastics can carry bacteria, chemical pollutants and even potentially dangerous microorganisms. Scientists view plastic particles as a kind of «transport» for contaminants spreading through marine ecosystems.

Is there a risk for humans?

At present, scientists do not have conclusive evidence that eating fish containing microplastics causes specific diseases in humans. However, experts agree that the long-term effects have not yet been studied sufficiently.

The main concern is not so much the plastic itself, but the chemical substances and pollutants that may accumulate on its surface. In addition, microplastics can penetrate the tissues of marine organisms and gradually move through the food chain.

What can be done now

Environmentalists note that the fight against microplastics begins not in the sea, but on land. Reducing the use of single-use plastic, proper waste disposal, avoiding unnecessary packaging and taking part in beach clean-ups can significantly reduce pollution levels.

For island residents, the problem is of particular importance. The island’s economy depends heavily on tourism, fishing and the attractiveness of the marine environment. If pollution continues to grow at the current pace, the consequences may affect not only the ecosystem, but also key sectors of the economy.

Today, microplastics have already become part of the new environmental reality of the Mediterranean Sea. And although Cyprus’s beaches remain among the most beautiful in the region, studies show that the invisible plastic threat continues to accumulate in the water, seabed sediments and marine life. The question now is not whether the problem exists, but how quickly it can be stopped.