This week, researchers from around the globe are gathering to finalise proposals to address the critical issue of plastic pollution in South East Asia. Hosted by the University of Portsmouth, this four-day meeting marks the culmination of a four-year international project under the South East Asia Plastics (SEAP) Programme, aimed at understanding and mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

Since its start in November 2020, the microSEAP project has united researchers, policy groups, and community leaders from the UK, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The primary goal has been to enhance understanding of the effects of plastic pollution on vital marine ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs and beaches, and to support the development of effective mitigation of measures.

The University of Portsmouth and its partners have conducted extensive research on plastic pollution in Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. These countries, all neighbouring the South China Sea – a hotspot for uncontrolled plastic waste – are severely affected by plastic pollution, which often originates from other regions.

Professor Simon Cragg, Project lead, University of Portsmouth.

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Professor Simon Cragg said: “Plastic pollution is a growing threat to marine environments worldwide. Thanks to our international partners, this innovative project has provided us with a comprehensive picture of the impact plastics have on marine ecosystems in South East Asia. We now need to work together to find sustainable solutions.”

This week’s event will feature a series of workshops led by specialists from the University of Portsmouth, to develop actionable solutions. Representatives from all four countries will participate in the discussions.

Solutions may include changes in policy, economic strategies, and the introduction of new technologies. Through its Revolution Plastics Institute, the University of Portsmouth has expertise in all areas of plastic pollution research. One of the highlights of the meeting will be a detailed examination of how plastics degrade in marine environments using the advanced techniques of a FIB SEM (Focused Ion Beam SEM). This technology, typically used to study the degradation of rocks and minerals, will provide a microscopic view of how enzymes of marine bacteria degrade microplastics.

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Professor Cragg added: “By leveraging Portsmouth’s expertise in the Revolution Plastics Institute, the Centre for Blue Governance, and the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, we aim to propose effective solutions to reduce the impact of plastics on marine environments.”

Plastic pollution poses severe threats to ocean health and biodiversity, particularly in the South China Sea. The insights gained from the SEAP Programme will aid policymakers and marine ecosystem managers in South East Asia in developing interventions and measures to mitigate environmental damage from marine plastics.

The microSEAP project is one of four international research collaborations funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), with additional support from the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Singapore National Research Foundation.