Plastic ingestion in Franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844), from Argentina

► We evaluate the ingestion of plastic debris (PD) by Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) in coastal marine and estuarine waters of Argentina. ► Packaging debris and fishing gear fragments are the main sources of plastic debris ingested; no digestive tracts obstructions or ulcerations were recorded. ► PD ingestion was more frequent in estuarine (34.6%) than marine (19.2%) environments, but the source of debris was similar. ► A more frequent PD ingestion was detected during the gradual weaning and early phases of trophic independence in juvenile dolphins of both sexes. ► As this stage coincides with the increase of gillnet entanglement and the heavy metal bioaccumulation, it should be considered relevant to the conservation of this vulnerable species conservation.