This study aims at quantifying and characterising microplastics (MP) distribution in the water column of the NW Mediterranean Sea as well as MP ingestion by the 2 main planktivorous fish of the area, sardine and anchovy. Debris of similar sizes were found in all water column samples and in all but 2 fish guts (out of 169). MP were found in 93% of water column samples with an average concentration of 0.23 ± 0.20 MP·m−3, but in only 12% of sardines (0.20 ± 0.69 MP·ind−1) and 11% of anchovies (0.11 ± 0.31 MP·ind−1). Fibres were the only shape of MP encountered and polyethylene terephthalate was the main polymer identified in water columns (61%), sardines (71%) and anchovies (89%). This study confirms the ubiquity of MP in the Mediterranean Sea and imparts low occurrence in fish digestive tracts. •Microplastics were studied in the NW Mediterranean Sea using 17 stations in 2015.•Microplastic concentration averaged 0.23 ± 0.20 MP·m−3 in the water column.•Microplastic ingestion occurred in only 11–12% of anchovies and sardines.•The main polymer type recovered in each sample was polyethylene terephtalate.•Fibres were the only microplastic shape encountered.