Did you know that fish have been eating microplastics since the 1950s... and so have we?

Since plastic became a mass material in the 1950s, microplastics - tiny particles created by the fragmentation of this material - have invaded seas, oceans, and our food chains. According to a recent study, the amount of microplastics in fish has increased in proportion to global plastic production. Worryingly, these particles are also finding their way onto our plates.

These microplastics are not just harmless debris. Studies have shown that they can chemically bind to contaminants such as heavy metals and other toxic substances in the water. This means that by eating fish, we could also be ingesting these contaminants, which has been linked to problems such as immune response, cytotoxicity, and other adverse health effects.

Although this problem may seem new, it has been developing for decades. Researchers have found that the levels of microplastics in the digestive tracts of fish have skyrocketed since the 1950s, coinciding with the boom in plastic production.

This finding invites us to reflect: is it worth sacrificing the health of the planet and ourselves for the convenience of single-use plastics?

The solution is in our hands. Reducing the use of single-use plastics, choosing sustainable alternatives, and demanding responsible policies at the global level are key steps to changing this reality. The ocean unites us all, and so do the issues that affect it.

Change begins with small actions. What are you doing to reduce your plastic use?