Microplastics already found in fish consumed by Pacific communities, study finds. JAN 31, 2026

Photo: Fish by Male Maeder (free Pexels)

Microplastics already found in fish consumed by Pacific communities, study finds

Microplastics have been identified in around one-third of fish analyzed in coastal waters of Pacific Island nations, according to a scientific study released this week. The research examined nearly 900 fish from 138 different species — all of them commonly consumed locally — collected in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Levels of contamination, however, varied widely between locations. While approximately 75% of fish sampled in Fiji contained microscopic plastic particles, only 5% of samples from Vanuatu were affected. The overall average remained below the estimated global rate of 49%.

Researchers stress that the findings should not be interpreted in an alarmist way. Plastics have already been detected in many everyday products, such as table salt and beverages. This shows how widespread the problem has become,” said Amanda Ford, co-author of the study and senior lecturer at the University of the South Pacific.

According to Ford, the low levels found in Vanuatu were unexpected and may be linked to local waste management practices or specific ocean current patterns. In other islands, rapid urban growth combined with limited waste treatment systems increases vulnerability to plastic pollution.

Published in the scientific journal PLOS One, the study highlights that the issue is particularly sensitive for Pacific nations, where fish is essential both for food security and for local economies and traditional ways of life.

Although recent studies have detected microplastics in various parts of the human body, the direct health impacts are still not fully understood, especially at the relatively low levels observed in many of the fish samples. Some of this research has also been questioned due to possible methodological flaws.

Despite remaining uncertainties, there is a broad scientific consensus that microplastics are now present in virtually all ecosystems on the planet — from remote mountain peaks to the deepest parts of the ocean. According to estimates from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), between 75 and 199 million tonnes of plastic have already accumulated in the world’s oceans.

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

The Green Amazon News — All rights reserved.