Marine debris ingestion and human impacts on the Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) in southern Brazil

Pygmy sperm whales, Kogia breviceps (Kogiidae), are a small cetacean that inhabits Mesopelagic regions near the continental shelf. In this study we present record of plastic ingestion by K. breviceps in Brazil. In August 2010 on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, a carcass was found showing evidences of interaction with fishing nets. The stomach content was collected for the analysis of food items, but the presence of four plastics weighing 55.9 g was found. In addition, the analysis of food items revealed the presence of the fish Merluccius hubbsi, which is an intensely explored species by fisheries activities in southern Brazil. Merluccius sp. is common in the diet of K. breviceps in several regions of the planet. This work shows that in southern Brazil, K. breviceps suffers intense impact of both ingestion of anthropic material and fisheries, and so must be closely monitored. •We report the ingestion of synthetic debris by Kogia breviceps in southern Brazil.•The carcass was found showing evidences of interaction with fishing nets.•Four items of anthropogenic origin were found.•All malleable plastics of 70 × 92 cm; 47 × 31 cm; 30 × 45 cm and 30 × 45 cm.