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Microplastics in One-Third of Surveyed Pacific Island Fish
Nearly 75% of fish in Fiji contained microplastics, highlighting risks to local food security and the impact of coastal development and waste management failures.
- Research team led by Jasha Dehm found about one-third of 878 coastal fish from Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu contained microplastics in a January 28, 2026 PLOS One study.
- Limited waste management and rapid urban growth have led to uneven contamination, with Fiji showing high levels compared to other Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
- Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility records and local catches, the team analyzed 878 coastal fish from 138 species and found reef-associated and bottom-feeding fish ingested more synthetic fibers.
- Many Pacific coastal communities rely on fish for nutrition and livelihoods, so contamination could threaten food security, but researchers at the University of the South Pacific warned health implications remain unclear due to low microplastic amounts.
- As UN negotiators meet next month, the study gives Pacific Island countries weight in pushing for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty and recommends community-led solutions stressing global equity.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
The Courier-Times+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Even fish from remote parts of world still soiled by microplastics
Microplastics were found in a third of sea life off the coasts of some of the remotest Pacific Islands.
·New Castle, United States
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According to a study published on Thursday in the scientific journal PLOS One for which 19 scientists participated, this figure would be less important than the world average.
·Paris, France
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Microplastics found in a third of surveyed fish off the coasts of remote Pacific Islands
A third of fish living in the remote coastal waters of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories are contaminated with microplastics, with especially high rates in Fiji, according to an analysis published in PLOS One by Jasha Dehm at the University of the South Pacific and colleagues.
·United Kingdom
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
11%
C 56%
R 33%
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