Does light-stick content pose any threat to marine organisms?

Abstract

Light-stick is a light attractor used in longline fishing which is often dumped or lost into the ocean after used, becoming a potential pollutant to marine organisms. In the present study, toxicity was evaluated by exposing Artemia to light-stick contents. The effects were observed on the survival of nauplii and hatchability of cysts. The LC50 was 0.063mLL−1 after 24 h of exposure, whilst hatchability was 100% reduced after 48 h of exposure to 0.8mLL−1. The results showed that its content can be toxic to marine organisms, especially under low dilution conditions or direct contact.