Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea

► Ninety percentage of the 40 stations contained microplastic particles (size 0.3-5 mm). ► The highest abundances (>0.36 particles/m2) were observed in the shelf stations. ► The neustonic plastic particles concentrations were 5 time higher before than after the strong wind event. ► The values are in the same order of magnitude than in the North Pacific Gyre.